Xander Bogaerts opened the scoring for the Netherlands in the third inning by kicking the ball over the fences. In round five, Jurickson Profar followed suit. In round eight, Bogaerts was successful for the second time.
The game against Panama was special for Sharion Martis, 35, who started out as a starting pitcher. In 2006, the then 18-year-old Martis also represented the Netherlands against Panama for the first time. He then pitched the first and so far only no-hitter in World Baseball Classic history.
Baseball players will continue to face hosts Taiwan and Italy in the squad. Numbers 1 and 2 go to the quarter-finals in Tokyo. The winners will play the final round in Miami.