China rallies past Brazil to earn 2017 WBC berth

Mar 5, 2013 - 1:07 PM Fukuoka, Japan (Sports Network) - Ray Chang keyed a five-run eighth inning with a two-run single, as China rallied to claim a 5-2 win over Brazil in the World Baseball Classic finale for both teams.

Chang, a Reds prospect born in Kansas City, finished 3-for-4 to help China earn its only win in this year's tournament. The victory gave the Chinese third place in Pool A, also securing a spot in the 2017 WBC.

Brazil, which nearly pulled off an upset of Japan in the opening game of pool play on Saturday, finished 0-3 and will have to qualify for the next edition of the WBC.

JC Muniz singled in a run in the second to give Brazil a 1-0 lead and Diego Franca knocked in another run in the seventh, but it all fell apart for the Brazilian pitching staff in the eighth.

Murilo Gouvea (0-1) yielded a single and a pair of one-out walks to load the bases before Thyago Vieira issued another free pass to Li Lei, forcing in the first run. Chang then singled home two runs to give China a 3-2 lead. Two more walks with the bases loaded later in the inning forced in the final two runs.

Lu Jiangang (1-0) picked up the win for China, allowing just one hit and a walk over the final 2 2/3 innings.