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Team Israel’s offensive woes continued in the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday, as they lost their second consecutive game, this time to the Dominican Republic, by a score of 10-0, at loanDepot Park in Miami.

Like Monday’s game against Puerto Rico, Tuesday’s game ended in the seventh inning thanks to the WBC’s mercy rule, when the Dominican Republic scored their final two runs.

Israel did not have a base runner in Monday’s loss, and things were not much better for them on Tuesday. After 31 consecutive plate appearances in which an Israeli player failed to reach base, Toronto Blue Jays prospect Spencer Horwitz hit a single. However, that was the only hit and base runner Israel could muster.

The start against the Dominican Republic went to Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Jacob Steinmetz, who in 2021 became the first known Orthodox Jewish baseball player to get drafted.

Steinmetz keeps kosher and observes Shabbat. For baseball tournaments, he traveled ahead of time and arranged hotels within walking distance of the fields. He also brings his own kosher food while traveling to play.

He does play during Shabbat and on Jewish holidays, and explained to teams during the draft process how he could continue to juggle both his faith and baseball career.

Against the Dominican Republic, Steinmetz pitched an inning and two thirds, allowing a run on two hits, two walks and three strikeouts. His first strikeout was of San Diego Padres star Manny Machado.

With the victory, the Dominican Republic improved to 2-1 in Pool D play. They will face Puerto Rico on Wednesday in a win-or-go-home game between the two rivals.

Unfortunately for Israel, their tournament will come to an end on Wednesday after they face Venezuela, as they fell to 1-2 in pool play.