Mets prospect Josh Zeid leads Israel into World baseball Classic

During the sixth and final game of the World Baseball Classic qualifying rounds at MCU Park in Brooklyn, Mets prospect Josh Zeid did what he had to in order to ensure Team Israel won.

After pitching four perfect innings, Team Israel starter Jason Marquis was pulled. It was a strange move in a scoreless game and being nowhere near the pitch limit. Mets prospect Josh Zeid took over for the next three innings and was nearly as good as Marquis.

Zeid ended the teams’ combined perfect game bid in the seventh inning after issuing a walk to Jasrado Chrisholm, but other than that was perfect.

Team Israel then had seven no-hit innings under their belt to go along with a 6-0 lead over Great Britain — the team who scored 14 Runs just two days earlier against Pakistan.

Zeid recorded three strikeouts, including one of Binghamton Mets Outfielder Champ Stuart, who was ejected for comments made towards the umpire, along with Great Britain’s manager.

Though both the no-hitter and shutout were broken shortly after Zeid was replaced, Israel won by a score of 9-1, with Zeid earning the win. Zeid didn’t just pitch himself to victory, he helped his own cause with some spectacular defense, snagging a hard hit liner headed toward his face.

Zeid signed a minor league deal with the Mets on June 11. He compiled a 4.74 ERA with 116 Strikeouts over 129 Innings split between Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas. Between 2012 and 2015, the Tigers and Astros used him as a reliever.

Also joining Zeid and Team Israel was former Mets First Baseman Ike Davis. Since leaving the Mets at the start of the 2014 season, Davis has only played 10 games in New York. Seven of those games were at Yankee Stadium. Davis received a warm welcome home, but did not perform well. In the final game as the DH, Davis went 0-3 with two Strikeouts.

With the victory, Israel claimed the 16th spot in the World Baseball Classic. In March, Team Israel will face off against South Korea, Netherlands, and Taiwan. MLB players who can join Team Israel in March include Ryan Braun, Alex Bregman, and Ian Kinsler.