SYDNEY, Australia -- New Zealand broke out for six runs in the sixth inning and five runs in the seventh inning to defeat Philippines by mercy rule, 17-7. Boss Moanaroa drove in seven runs to help New Zealand avoid elimination from the World Baseball Classic Qualifier at Blacktown International Sportspark

"This was basically our last chance," said Moanaroa. "We said in the changing room, 'This is our final chance. Let's enjoy it and have fun.' And that's what we did."

The first run of the game was scored by Philippines in the top of the first inning by Eric Farris, who crossed home plate on a sacrifice fly to center field by Chris Aguila. Little did either team know that the elimination game would be one of high scoring. 

Devon Ramierez got the start for Philippines and went 2.2 innings, which he gave up three runs (two earned runs) on four hits and two walks. As for New Zealand, Andrew Marck toed the slab and went 3.1 innings. The 22-year-old right-handed pitcher gave up three runs on five hits. 

New Zealand was ahead of Philippines by two runs, but a home run two-run home run off the bat of Brady Conlan tied the game in the top of the fourth inning. It was a back-and-forth game until the sixth inning, which Philippines took off for a three run lead with the last run coming on an RBI single by Farris, scoring Jonash Ponce

In the huge sixth inning for the Philippines, Nick Maronde, 26, was on the mound for New Zealand. He went 1.1 innings and gave up three runs on four hits. It was not a pretty afternoon for the left-handed pitcher. 

In the bottom of the sixth inning, New Zealand struck gold. Alan Schoenberger walked to automatically score Connar O'Gorman. After another run scored to tie the game at seven, Boss Moanaroa unleashed on a three-run dinger off Taylor Garrison to right field, which allowed Daniel Bradley and Max Brown to score. The moon shot gave New Zealand a 10-7 lead. His brother, Moko Moanaroa went 1-for-3 with two walks and one run scored.

"The presence of him in the lineup is everything for us," said New Zealand manager Chris Woodward. "He's our best hitter. He is our most powerful hitter. Like I said, he just has a presence about him that makes our whole lineup work."

New Zealand piled on five more runs in the bottom of the seventh. The scoring was started by Bradley, who knocked a ground-rule double to left field. Later in the inning, Boss Moanaroa picked up his eighth RBI of the game on single to score Schoenberger. Scott Campbell's RBI sacrifice fly made it a 15-7 lead for New Zealand.

"We got into the sixth inning and took the lead and I said it in the dugout, 'We've got a lot of game left fellows, a lot of game left.' We had a lot of pitching but we did not have a lot of guys who were in good shape. I think it got us in the end," said Philippines manager Tim Hulett.

Garrison pitched 1.1 innings and gave up six runs on four hits and three walks. The 25-year-old was removed by the Philippines coaching staff and was followed up by Jon Jon Robles, who was just as unsuccessful. Robles only got one out and allowed two runs on one hit and one walk. 

Another run was scored by New Zealand in the bottom of the eight. Ryan Juarez allowed a few batters to reach, then Timothy Auty grounded into a force out and O'Gorman scampered home. After the play, Juarez was replaced by Juan Paulo Macasaet

New Zealand completed the mercy of their opponent in the eighth inning on a hit by Tyron Bartorillo, who reached on a throwing error by Philippines second baseman Adriane Ros Bernardo. The error allowed Auty to score and give New Zealand the 17-7 mercy rule victory. 

"I think they have turned the corner," said Hulett of the Philippines' ability to compete against countries with a more established history in the sport. "I think they can say the Philippines can play some baseball. We've got a way to go, don't get me wrong, but I like what I saw today."

Philippines have been eliminated from the World Baseball Classic Qualifier and as a result will not reach the 2017 World Baseball Classic. New Zealand, however, will face the loser of the 3:30 AM ET game between Australia and South Africa in hopes of advancing to the finals. 

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About the author
Evan Petzold
Evan Petzold is a Detroit-based journalist with expertise in covering the Tigers, Pistons, and Red Wings. A member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA) and Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association (DBSA), he brings a unique skill set in reporting and broadcasting to the table.