The Netherlands' double-play duo of second baseman Jonathan Schoop and shortstop Andrelton Simmons made a big-time play in the 10th inning of Sunday's 11-inning, 8-6 loss to Japan to strand the bases loaded.
If the play had occurred in Major League Baseball or later in the World Baseball Classic's semifinals or finals, it might not have counted.
:: 2017 World Baseball Classic ::
With one out and the scored tied at 6 in the top of the 10th, Schoop fielded a chopper off the bat of Norichika Aoki and flipped to Simmons, who was covering second. Simmons made the turn and fired to first baseman Curt Smith, where first-base umpire Larry Vanover called Aoki out. Aoki immediately pointed to the bag, as did the first-base coach, claiming Simmons' throw pulled Smith off the bag.
The call stood, despite replay showing the throw did, in fact, pull Smith off the bag.
Instant replay challenges cannot be requested until the final four teams meet at Dodger Stadium. Only home runs may be reviewed until then.
The World Baseball Classic runs through March 22. In the U.S., games air live exclusively in English on MLB Network and on an authenticated basis via MLBNetwork.com/watch, while ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN provide the exclusive Spanish-language coverage. MLB.TV Premium subscribers in the U.S. have access to watch every tournament game live on any of the streaming service's 400-plus supported devices. The tournament is being distributed internationally across all forms of television, internet, mobile and radio in territories excluding the U.S., Puerto Rico and Japan. Get tickets for games at Marlins Park, Tokyo Dome, Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Mexico, Petco Park, as well as the Championship Round at Dodger Stadium, while complete coverage -- including schedules, video, stats and gear -- is available at WorldBaseballClassic.com.