Italy slugs early, stuns Mexico late with 5-run 9th

GAME HIGHLIGHTS MEXICO VS ITALY

https://youtu.be/07g0LYqUtkE

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Jones' walk-off hit 3rd in Classic history for U.S.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS USA VS COLUMBIA

https://youtu.be/Uax6ZYr8-R0

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Puerto Rican players raise passion in Mexico
Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor are among the most followed players in Guadalajara

Guadalajara - Shortstops Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor not only have Puerto Rican fans in the Charros de Jalisco stadium.

Also, Mexicans, Venezuelans and Italians are followers of the new luminaries of Puerto Rico in the Major Leagues.

Both were grateful yesterday for the support received by all the fans before the debut of each with the Puerto Rican squad in the World Baseball Classic.

"We feel blessed to be able to play ball here. Although we play and feel affection for the team of Puerto Rico, but also feel the affection for the fans here in Mexico. In truth they love baseball and they are passionate fanatics, "Correa told a news conference prior to last night's game against Venezuela.

"We are here to defend our homeland, but we are also here for the fans who enjoy this beautiful game," he added.

Lindor, on the other hand, described the global recognition as an honor and pride.

"That the fans want to come out and see us play, we thank them a lot," he said.

El Nuevo Día was able to talk to the young Mexican fans who came from Merida, Yucatan, to watch the match between the Puerto Ricans and the Venezuelans. The duel was rated the most important and attractive in Group D for the first round of the tournament.

Mario Menéndez and Jair Sánchez, each 20 years old and with the caps of the Mexican national team on their heads, unmistakably identified Lindor and Correa as their favorite players.

They even asked if Carlos Delgado was still active in the majors. Now he serves as a batting coach for Puerto Rica.

"Who does not know Delgado?" Menéndez said.

Lindor comes from helping the Cleveland Indians qualify for the World Series, which they lost in seven games against the Chicago Cubs.

He also got his first Golden Glove and an All-Star appearance.

Correa also shone on an individual level with the Houston Astros after winning the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2015, where Lindor was second.

Correa saw action with the Astros in Mexico City last season in two games against the San Diego Padres.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS VENEZUELA VS PUERTO RICO (REPEAT)

https://youtu.be/TLOkwosYxgQ

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COMPLETE GAME HIGHLIGHTS USA VS COLUMBIA

https://youtu.be/zK9DyQc_MyQ

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World Baseball Classic Day 5: Japan Undefeated, USA Walk-Off, Puerto Rico Powerhouse

An epic walk-off and offensive showcase highlight the fifth day of the World Baseball Classic.

Beginning another exciting in the World Baseball Classic, Pool B MVPYoshitomo TsutsugohhelpedJapancomplete their pool-play sweep with a 7-1 victory overChina. Once the dust of the pitcher’s duel between Chris Archer and Jose Quintana settled, the USA came from behind Colombia to win 3-2 in extra innings. Shortly after, the Puerto Ricans flashed their offensive potential in a blowout 11-0 victory over Venezuela.

By beating China 7-1, Japan is 3-0 and one of six undefeated teams remaining in the WBC. While Israel stands 3-0 after sweeping through Pool A, the Dominican Republic, Italy, USA and Puerto Rico are all undefeated through their first games of pool play.

Playing a major role in Japan’s success, Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh was named the Pool B MVP. Including a home run in each of Japan’s first two games, Tsutsugoh batted .364 with 4 hits and 5 RBIs from the cleanup spot.

“I don’t evaluate which game is more important or less important,” Tsutsugoh said (per mlb.com). “Every game is just a game.”

While Shota Takeda pitched through four scoreless innings, where he allowed just four hits and one walk, Seiji Kobayashi gave Japan a 3-0 lead with a two-run homer in the second. The following inning, Sho Nakata hit his own two-run homer in the third, giving Japan a 5-1 lead.

As a team, China committed three errors, one of which allowed Japan to score twice in the seventh. Not only are they eliminated from the tournament, but by going 0-3 in pool play, China will have to re-qualify for the next WBC.

Adam Jones Wins it for USA in Extras

Both Archer and Quintana brought their best to Marlins Park, but USA rallied in the tenth inning to a 3-2 victory over Colombia. Adam Jones brought a dramatic game to an end with a walk-off single.

While Archer remained perfect through the fourth with three strikeouts, Quintana’s no-hit bid lasted through 5.2 innings. With two outs in the sixth, Brandon Crawfordof the Giants broke up Quintana’s chance at a no-no with a single.

OnceMychal Givens relieved Archer in the fifth, Colombia took a 2-0 lead over USA with three consecutive doubles. Jesus Valdez smacked a two-out double that broke up Team USA’s perfect game at 4.2 innings.

Valdez eventually scored the first run of the game when Adrian Sanchez doubled him home. Mauricio Ramos followed suit and drove in Sanchez with another RBI double.

After Colombia held his team hitless for nearly six innings, Jones put USA on the board with an RBI double that cut Colombia’s lead to 2-1. Nolan Arenado ran out a dropped third strike and slid safely into first base as the game-tying run crossed the plate.

After both teams made serious threats in the ninth inning, the game went into extra innings. Jones came up to the plate with two outs and two runners on after back-to-back walks. Faced with an 0-2 count, Jones drove in the walk-off run with a single into centerfield.

“It means a lot,” Jones said (permlb.com). “Any win, no matter if you win it in a walk off, it’s big. I think the situational magnitude is a little big bigger. I’m just glad we were able to get the win.”

Termination Rule Holds Puerto Rico to 11 Runs

Another major league pitching matchup took place between Puerto Rico’s Seth Lugo and Venezuela’s Felix Hernandez. While many suspected the game to be close, Puerto Rico mercy ruled Venezuela with an 11-0 shutout victory.

With appearances in every WBC, Hernandez came into his start without giving up a run through 8.2 innings. However, T.J. Rivera hit a sacrifice fly in the third that not only put Puerto Rico ahead 1-0, but drove in the first run given up by King Felix ever in the tournament. Puerto Rico eventually scored another in the third when Carlos Beltran coaxed a bases-loaded walk.

Meanwhile, Lugo kept Venezuela to one hit through 5.1 innings. Even after Puerto Rico went to their bullpen, Giovanni Soto and Joe Jimenez held Venezuela to just two hits.

Carlos Correa and Yadier Molina both went yard in the sixth inning to give Puerto Rico a 5-0 lead. Their offensive prowess leaked into the seventh inning, where Puerto Rico finished the game by scoring six runs.

After he hit an RBI single, Beltran eventually scored off a double hit by Javier Baez to extend Puerto Rico’s lead to 7-0. Following an RBI double from Eddie Rosario, Rivera put the Venezuelans out of their misery with a two-run homer that warranted the early termination rule.

What’s Next

Pool C continues with a game between Colombia and Canada at 9:00 a.m. PST. Afterward, the USA takes on the reigning WBC champion Dominican Republic at 3:30 p.m. PST.

Puerto Rico looks to improve to 2-0 in Pool D with a game against Mexico at 6:30 p.m. PST. On the flip side, Venezuela hopes to find their first tournament win against Italy at 12:00 p.m. PST.

Cuba wraps up the day with game against the undefeated Israel at 7:00 p.m. PST. Their game opens Pool E and begins the second round of the tournament

Japanese Baseball Player Defends Boy Shamed For Catching His Home Run Ball in Heartfelt Letter (A JAPANESE VERSION OF BARTMAN)

http://nextshark.com/japanese-baseball- ... lt-letter/

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Yadier Molina and Francisco Lindor react to the overwhelming victory.

Last night was an unimaginable victory
Puerto Rico celebrates its knockout against Venezuela, but keeps cautious against its next rivals

Guadalajara, Mexico - Edwin Rodriguez had to think about the results of the 11-0 win several times to know that it was reality and against a team like Venezuela.

He never thought that Puerto Rico would have a performance like the one demonstrated Friday night against one of the power house teams of this tournament.

"If they had told me this result before starting the game it would have really been ... to be more honest, I could not imagine it. 11-0 against an team as potent as that of Venezuela, and with Felix Hernandez on the mound, would have been very difficult to imagine, "said Rodríguez.

Puerto Rico may have signed off on one of their best wins in this tournament's history after knocking out the Venezuelans in the seventh inning under the World Baseball Classic pity rule that goes into effect in the lucky event a team has an advantage of 10 runs or more.

A win today against Mexico would get them on the plane to San Diego for the second round.

What was experienced at the Charros stadium in Jalisco was unique to the Puerto Rican squad that premiered young talents from the Major Leages with Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor and Javier Báez, among others.

It was the third Puerto Rican knockout since the Classic started in 2006, when they despatched Cuba 12-2 in the inaugural, and the United States 11-1 in 2009.

Seth Lugo may have had one of the best outings in the tournament's history, taking advantage of the 65 pitches he was limited to as a starter with five innings and a third of one hit and three strikeouts baseball without allowing walks.

"Seth Lugo was obviously the key to the game. Pitching so effectively, so economical with his pitches that took us to the fifth inning without using the bullpen a little more aggressive, "said Rodriguez.

Correa was also outstanding with two key stops at third base, a solo homer in two quality batting opportunities and a stolen base.

"This was one of the moments I was most proud of in my baseball career. Having the Puerto Rican uniform on for the first time means a lot to me. Something that I dreamed of since they picked me in the draft. So I live it to the fullest, "said the Houston Astros youthful shortstop.

Veterans also enjoyed the game.

Yadier Molina and Carlos Beltrán drove in two races each. The starting receiver of the Puerto Rican squad had a two-run homer in the seventh inning and again highlighted his mastery in handling the monticular body behind the plate.

"That's the two team leaders and they enjoy being the team leaders. Not just this team, they are the baseball leaders in Puerto Rico. Many young people look up to them, admire them and want to follow in their footsteps. Not just the execution, but how to stay calm during situations in the game. The took us to the runner-up in 2013 and they guide us now in this tournament, "said Rodríguez.

Outfielder Eddie Rosario had an outstanding game with a double of two RBIs and a triple. First baseman J Rivera had a home run that finished the game to explode the celebration of the team as if it were a postseason game in the Majors.

Caution before the game.

However, Rodriguez recalled the importance of having your feet on the ground in a Classic competition such as this.

"The way it was won against Venezuela, the mood is in the clouds. But we have established a philosophy in the tournament to take one game at a time, one pitch at a time, as in 2013. We can not get too high, too happy with the victories, nor to be influenced negatively by defeats. We enjoy it now, but today we have another challenge in Mexico, "Rodríguez said.

Venezuela does not believe it.

The Venezuelan leader, Omar Vizquel, regretted that his debut as manager of the the team was past in this way. He hoped the game would be more close.

"It was amazing what they did. Their hitters chose their pitches well. I think they stuck to their game plan. That's what you want to see from a team, that everyone participates, "he said.

Vizquel noted that his batters led by luminaries like Jose Altuve, Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Carlos Gonzalez looked anxious in the batting box.

"We did not do very well and we have to talk to them to calm them down and take their time when it's time to hit," he added.

Venezuela with lineup against Italy (1-0) today.

Donovan Solano records his second RBI single of the game, this one scoring Tito Polo in the 5th inning to give Colombia a 2-1 lead

Teheran dominant in Colombia's 1st Classic win
Colombia conquers Canada for 1st Classic win

Julio Teheran, the second half of the All-Star duo at the top of Colombia's starting rotation at the World Baseball Classic, was dominant for five innings on Saturday, leading Team Colombia to a 4-1 win over Canada at Marlins Park in Miami.

The win is the Colombians' first all time in the World Baseball Classic. After their tough, 3-2 loss in 10 innings to the United States on Friday night, they've evened their record at 1-1 in Pool C. But if they want to advance to the second round, they'll likely have to beat the defending champion Dominican Republic in their final game of the first round on Sunday.

Canada, meanwhile, has fallen to 0-2 in this year's Classic, which makes it unlikely that the team will be able to advance to round two. First, it will have to try to salvage a win against the U.S. on Sunday. Canada has upset the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic once before, in the inaugural 2006 tournament, but it has lost the countries' last two Classic meetings.

After getting to Teheran early -- Freddie Freeman drove in Canada's only run with a first-inning single off his Braves teammate -- the Canadian bats went cold. They didn't manage another hit after the first until a seventh-inning single by Jamie Romak, and although they strung together a couple of hits with two outs in the ninth to bring the tying run to the plate, they weren't able to mount a comeback, as Dayan Diaz struck out Romak with a 96-mph fastball to end the game.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Teheran gets on a roll: After allowing a quick run in the first inning, Teheran started dealing. He retired the final 13 batters he faced, beginning with the final out of the first and lasting through the end of the fifth. Teheran's final line: five innings, two hits, one run and three strikeouts. He and fellow 2016 MLB All-Star Jose Quintana have combined to allow only two runs on three hits in 10 2/3 innings over Colombia's first two games of the Classic.
Colombia starter Julio Teheran goes five innings, striking out three and only allowing one run

Freddie gets to Julio: All-Stars Freeman and Teheran, both career Braves, have spent the last six Major League seasons as teammates in Atlanta. They faced each other in the first inning on Saturday, and the matchup went to Freeman, who ripped a changeup from Teheran into right field for an RBI single to open the scoring.
Freddie Freeman rips a single into the outfield to score Justin Morneau from second and give Canada a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning

Hermanos Solano: Colombia's pair of brothers, Jhonatan and Donovan Solano, combined to tie up the game in the top of the third inning. Jhonatan, the designated hitter Saturday and a catcher in the Nationals' organization, led off the inning with a line-drive single to right and advanced to second on a groundout. Donovan, a shortstop who plays in the Yankees' organization, then came up and laced an RBI single to left, bringing home Jhonatan and knotting the score at one. That wasn't all for the Solanos. Donovan later knocked the go-ahead RBI single in the fifth inning, and Jhonatan extended the lead with a bases-loaded walk in the sixth.
Jhonatan Solano takes a walk from Eric Gagne with the bases loaded to drive in a run and give Colombia a 3-1 lead

Gagne returns: Eric Gagne, at 41 years old and nearly a decade removed from his last big league game, took the mound for Team Canada in the top of the sixth inning. Not only that, he was called on to get out of a two-out, bases-loaded jam. Gagne initially struggled to find his command, walking the first batter he faced to force in a run and going to a 3-0 count on the next hitter, but he induced an inning-ending popup to limit the damage to a run. And he came out firing: Gagne's fastball sat around 93 mph. Gagne also stayed in to pitch scoreless seventh and eighth innings.
Eric Gagne gets Tito Polo to fly out with the bases loaded to end Colombia's rally in the 6th inning

WHAT'S NEXT

Colombia: Colombia wraps up its Pool C schedule with a home game against the defending champion Dominican Republic team on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET. After the biggest win in the nation's baseball history, Colombia will try to follow it up with an even bigger one against the powerhouse Dominicans.

Canada: Canada plays the final game of Pool C against the United States on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET. The Canadians will hope they can replicate their big win over the U.S. from 2006, when they won, 8-6, behind a 3-for-5 day from Justin Morneau, who is still on the team.

BOX SCORES

http://m.mlb.com/gameday/colombia-vs-ca ... 486913#Box

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Who are those guys? Italy with a 4-0 lead over Venezuela. Four homers yesterday. Another one today so far. Colabello with a nifty 3-6 dp in a crucial point in the game.....picked a smash, stepped on the bag for one, throws to second for two. Liddi with a loooong homer to left. Daniel Descalso had 3 RBIs in his first two at-bats. A one single and two run double. Italy has a very nice offensive lineup, good defensive team, with some decent pitching.

The Venezuelan bats finally woke up. Tied the game at 5 in the sixth.

Lindor's two run shot gives Puerto Rico an early 2-0 lead in the first and I am "f'n" blacked out

Nelson Cruz three run homer off of Andrew Miller puts the DR in the lead 6-5, 8th inning after being down 5-0.

Starling Marte goes opposite field against Miller. 7-5.

Announcers are saying that Lindor's homer was one of the longest they have ever seen. Cleared the wall.

Martin Prado makes an incredible grab and falls into the front row down the third-base line to retire Brandon Nimmo in the bottom of the 8th

Venezuela's Prado thrills with bat, glove

Venezuela's Martin Prado filled the stat sheet in Saturday's 11-10 win over Italy, making a highlight-reel catch, reaching base six times and driving in the game-winning run in the 10th inning.

Prado's five-hit performance at Estadio de Beisbol Charros de Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico, marked a first in World Baseball Classic history, according to ESPN Stats and Information. His fifth hit, an RBI double in the 10th, was the difference in the game.

"This is a difficult tournament. It's short, and we're not even in [midseason] form, so you've got to find a way to be locked in and just get your mindset," Prado said. "I've got Miguel [Cabrera] behind me, all those guys, heavy hitters, so I'm not trying to do too much. I'm just trying to have good at-bats and find a good pitch to hit."

The 33-year-old finished 5-for-5 with three RBIs, a run and a walk, while also contributing with his glove. In the eighth inning, he chased down Brandon Nimmo's pop up in foul territory, making an impressive catch over the wall as he tumbled into the stands.

Despite his efforts, however, Italy's Drew Butera advanced to second while Prado was tied up in the stands. Butera would eventually come around to score the tying run on the next at-bat, a single by John Andreoli.

Prado avoided free agency and signed a three-year extension with the Marlins this offseason. The veteran infielder had a productive year in 2016, batting .305 with eight home runs and 75 RBIs.
Gavin Cecchini singles to dramatically tie the game, but Drew Butera is out at home and Francisco Rodriguez and Salvador Perez are hurt

Salvy helped off, to get X-ray on left knee
All-Star catcher injured in collision with KC backup Butera; K-Rod also hurt on play

ALISCO, Mexico -- Venezuela felt the thrill of victory for the first time in Pool D play on Saturday, but this win hurt, too.

Catcher Salvador Perez made a game-saving putout at the plate in the ninth inning against Italy on Saturday, sending the World Baseball Classic contest into extra innings. Venezuela went on to win, 11-10, but both Perez and reliever Francisco Rodriguez were injured on the play.

According to a Major League Baseball official on site, Perez sustained a left knee injury and has been referred for further diagnostic testing. Venezuela manager Omar Vizquel said Rodriguez has a pulled groin and Perez is headed for X-rays. The pitcher said it was a cramp.

This much is certain: It was one of the strangest plays of the tournament.

Gavin Cecchini tied the game with a line-drive single to center, scoring pinch-runner Drew Maggi. Perez was in position to tag out Italy's Drew Butera at home, but he appeared to injure his leg in the collision with his Royals backup backstop. Perez needed to be helped into the clubhouse.

"Well, first of all, Francisco was in the wrong spot," Vizquel said. "He's supposed to be behind the catcher backing him up. We didn't really have a cutoff man there, and the ball just happened to fall into his hands. He bobbled it a little bit. He threw home with everything he can push himself to do it and put a good throw on the catcher that I think Salvador wasn't even expecting. That's why he got caught a little bit of surprise and his feet were crossed over, and I think that's why he got that injury."

It's unclear how Rodriguez was injured; he made a relay toss to Perez, then collapsed to the ground after the throw.

"I went to back to Salvador, and I went back to Francisco, and then back to Salvador," Vizquel said. "It was the weirdest thing. Two guys down at the same time. One guy said he's OK, the other one said, 'I can't walk.' There were a lot of emotions going on that play. The most important thing is that hopefully Francisco is going to be OK, and Salvador also is going to be OK."

Earlier in the ninth inning, Perez connected on a two-run homer to break a tie and put Venezuela up, 10-8. Venezuela reclaimed the lead in the 10th on Martin Prado's RBI double, and then the club hung on for the win, its first in this year's Classic.
Salvador Perez comes through in the clutch with a two-run homer to left-center field to give Venezuela a 10-8 lead in the ninth

"I feel really bad," Butera said. "I thought the ball was going to be in the gap and I was just trying to score. When I saw that I was going to be out by a lot, I just stopped. It was unfortunate that I hit him where I did. Obviously, I wasn't trying to hit him. I hope he is OK."

Royals general manager Dayton Moore confirmed that the team has been in contact with Perez.

"He was in a lot of pain at first," Moore said, "but he said he's feeling much better. But we won't know anything definitively until [Sunday] after the X-rays and imaging is done and examined. We just don't know right now."

The exams and evaluations will be done in Mexico.

BOX SCORES

http://m.mlb.com/gameday/venezuela-vs-i ... 486919#Box

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Nelson Cruz belts a three-run shot to left field off of Andrew Miller, giving Team Dominican Republic a 6-5 lead in the 8th inning

DRamatic rally vs. US puts Dominicans atop Pool C
Cruz's HR helps extend team's World Baseball Classic win streak to 10 games

he Dominican Republic got one step closer to punching its ticket to the second round of the World Baseball Classic on Saturday, besting the United States in a clash of two Pool C titans.

With back-to-back home runs from Nelson Cruz and Starling Marte in the eighth inning, the Dominican Republic stormed back from a five-run deficit and improved to 2-0 in the tournament with a 7-5 win in Miami. The game was played before a raucous, sold-out crowd of 37,446, establishing a new record for Marlins Park. The ballpark's previous high was 37,116 on Opening Day in 2014.

The win extends the Dominican Republic's Classic winning streak to 10 consecutive games. The reigning champions are now 16-4 all-time in the tournament and are in prime position to advance to the second round in San Diego.

Despite a stellar performance from Marcus Stroman, the U.S. bats went cold and the bullpen squandered a 5-0 lead as the Dominican team scored seven unanswered runs.

The U.S. now enters Sunday's evening matchup with Canada in need of a win or a Colombia loss to keep its tournament hopes alive. With the Dominican Republic being the only two-win team in Miami, all four Pool-C countries are still in play for the second round.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Cruz, Marte go back-to-back: Facing one of the best relievers in baseball in Andrew Miller, the Dominican Republic vaulted past the U.S. in the eighth with back-to-back home runs from Cruz and Marte. Miller began the inning by plunking Jose Bautista and yielding a single to Carlos Santana. Cruz brought everyone home and ignited the crowd with a three-run blast to left field. Marte then took Miller deep on the very first pitch he saw, adding an insurance run.

Defensive miscues hand U.S. early lead: A pair of defensive mistakes by the Dominican Republic helped the United States take an early 2-0 lead in the third inning. It started when first baseman Santana couldn't haul in an accurate throw from Robinson Cano, allowing Ian Kinsler an infield hit on what may have been an inning-ending out.

Team USA's next batter, Adam Jones, sent a deep fly ball out between Dominican outfielders Marte and Cruz. An apparent miscommunication between Cruz and Marte resulted in the ball falling in and out of Cruz's glove for an error, allowing Kinsler to score the game's first run.
Statcast analyzes Starling Marte and Nelson Cruz's catch probability on a ball that landed off the bat of Adam Jones, scoring Ian Kinsler

Jones would come around to score on Christian Yelich's conveniently placed popup to shallow left, then the U.S. made it 3-0 on an RBI single by Brandon Crawford, knocking Dominican starter Edinson Volquez out of the game.

Manny's moment: Orioles star Manny Machado fired up the Dominican faithful with a towering solo shot in the sixth inning. Machado's home run launched off his bat at 109.5 mph and traveled 435 feet, per Statcast™, which would have been his fifth-longest homer of 2016.
Manny Machado gets Team Dominican Republic on the board in the 6th inning with a long solo home run to left-center field

The homer put the Dominicans on the board and assured they would not be shut out for the first time in the history of the tournament.

BOX SCORES

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