WBC Round 2: 3/18/09: 6:30 MT

by Andrew Martin on Mar 19, 2009 6:34 PM MDT in Miscellaneous Comment 6 comments

Here is your WBC Update for Thursday

Pool 1 - San Diego, CA, USA:

CUBA HAS BEEN ELIMINATED

Japan: 5, Cuba: 0

The two teams took a scoreless tie into the 4^th inning, when Japanese 1B Michihiro Ogasawura sent a ball deep into the foggy outfield on 2 outs with runners on 2^nd and 3^rd. Cuba CF Yoennis Cespedes took chase, and made the catch, however, was unable to hang onto the ball, which scored 2 unearned runs for Japan.

It turns out that was all they needed, as the Japanese added 3 more runs while stoning the Cubans and guaranteeing themselves a berth to LA.

Interestingly enough, the Cubans did not show up to the postgame conference, save Manager Higinio Velez , and that was simply to praise the Japanese team as the better team and to reinforce Cuba's commitment to the game of Baseball.

Lines of the game:

Japan SP Hisashi Iwakuma: 6.0IP, 5H, 2K, BB, 0R

Japan LF Norichika Aori: 4-5, 2RBI, R

Japan plays Korea tonight to determine the Pool Victor at 7PM MT on ESPN. If you can wrench yourselves away from your brackets, it promises to be yet another excellent matchup between these two teams.

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Pool 2 - Miami, FL, USA

Venezuela: 10, USA: 6

Of all the games to be effectively meaningless, I'm glad it was this one. Jeremy Guthrie got beaten up for 6 runs (2 earned) while recording only 5 outs. Mark DeRosa brought the game within 1 in the 6th with a 2-run shot to LF, but LaTroy Hawkins proceeded to give it right back up with a 3-run shot to Max Ramirez.

The Americans lost the last game of the pool by a tally of 10-6.

I'd be more upset, but once again, this game didn't really count for much, whether we face Korea or Japan in the next round, it's gonna be a challenge. So I'm glad Guthrie got his work in, and I'm glad it didn't really hurt us that badly.

Lines of the game:

Venezuela DH Miguel Cabrera: 3-5, 2RBI, R

Venezuela 1B Max Ramirez: 2-5, 3RBI, R, HR

USA LF Mark DeRosa: 3-5, 3RBI, R, HR

Saturday will be the first game of the Semifinals, where the loser of Japan and Korea tonight will play Venezuela. USA and the Pool 1 winner will play Sunday evening.

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Funny

4 teams left of 16, and there are only two original pools represented.

"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK

by jrockies on Mar 19, 2009 6:52 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I was similarly amused

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by Andrew Martin on Mar 19, 2009 8:51 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's official

Evan Longoria has replaced…Chipper Jones…on Team USA’s roster.

I am really wondering how this is going to play out.

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by Andrew Martin on Mar 19, 2009 8:53 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Who would you have replaced him with?

I’ll be honest – i’m not watching baseball tonight….

"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch

by Hizilla on Mar 19, 2009 9:00 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I took the night off as well

Well, considering he’s the only guy left on the provisional roster who makes sense, he’s the guy.

I just wish that, you know, Matt Holliday, Mark Teixeira, Nick Markakis, etc had been invited, because then we could either dump Dunn back in RF and put Tex at 1B, or keep Dunn at 1B and put Holliday or Markakis in the field.

But alas.

I sincerely hope 2013 isn’t more of the same USA not caring and such.

Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/rockiesmagicnum

by Andrew Martin on Mar 20, 2009 9:17 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting note...

On the flyball that Cuba CF Yoennis Cespedes dropped. It was very foggy and he was covering a lot of ground to even reach the ball in deep left center. He appeared to overrun the ball and when he reached for it, the ball hit the palm of his glove and popped out.

Also later in the game, one of the Cuban pitchers gave up a triple to Ichiro and followed it up by hitting the next batter high in the shoulder. The Cuban manager immedietely pulled him from the game.

"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa

by Charlie77 on Mar 20, 2009 11:00 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs