TOKYO -- Former Twins and A's infielder Luke Hughes drove in four runs as Australia coasted to an 11-0 win over China at Tokyo Dome. James Beresford's grand slam made it a double-digit lead in the eighth inning and meant the ninth inning wasn't played because of the tournament's early-termination rule.Australia's win guaranteed Japan's path to the second round and also guaranteed the winner of the Australia-Cuba matchup (10 p.m. ET on Thursday) will join the Japanese in advancing. China, which will play Japan on Friday, can't advance.
Tigers Minor League left-hander Travis Blackley, who pitched in the Major Leagues with five teams, scattered two hits over 4 2/3 scoreless innings.
Australia didn't advance past the first round in any of the first three editions of the World Baseball Classic, going 1-8 with only a win over Mexico in 2009. The Australians are 1-1 in WBC 2017, having lost to Japan on Wednesday.
Cuba has never failed to advance out of the first round.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Blackley delivers: Australia manager Jon Deeble has two pitchers with Major League experience, and he chose to start them against China and Cuba in hopes of getting the two wins needed to advance. He got the first win Thursday, with Travis Blackley pitching efficiently enough on just 48 pitches. The pitch count is crucial, because by keeping it under, 50 Blackley is eligible to return as soon as Sunday, which would be the first game of the second round.
Hughes hits it hard: Hughes hasn't played in the Major Leagues since the A's released him in July 2012. He's played the last five years with the Perth Heat in the Australian League, where he homered three times in 24 games in the just-completed season.
A name to remember?: China's starter was 21-year-old Kwon Ju, who grew up in Korea and plays for the KT Wiz in Korean baseball. He gave up three hits in three innings, including Hughes' two-run home run, but scouts suggest he could project as a back-end starter in the Major Leagues some day.
Triple threat: Deeble made a lineup change Thursday, inserting 31-year-old Trent D'Antonio in the leadoff spot. D'Antonio, who played three seasons in the Marlins' organization without making it past Class A, made the move look good with a two-run triple in the fourth inning. D'Antonio was helped by China center fielder Zhenghong Lu, who tried to dive for the ball and saw it get by him.
Danny Knobler/MLB.com
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