Timlin in the Fourth...Lidge in the Ninth...
By Joe Davis
The World Baseball Classic kicked off in the United States of America today. I eagerly rushed home from school today to catch the end of the Dominicana (Dominican Republic) vs. Venezuela game in Florida.
I watched David Ortiz go for 2 for 3, hit two moon shots, and bat in three runs. I watched as his new teammate, Julian Taverez go one and a third innings, striking out one and giving up one hit. The Dominicana team won in commanding fashion, 11-5, with a big ninth inning posting up five runs.
It was a sight to see. The fans of the Domican Republic and Venezuela were out with their respective flags, cheering, chanting, singing and watching a very hard fought game by both teams. Miguel Tejada, despite having a terrible time at the plate, tried very hard on defense. He gave Baltimore Oriole fans something to worry about when he fell on his knee on a barehanded play hit by Edgardo Alfonzo. Miguel Tejada led off the ninth inning with a bunt. This set up a two-run homerun by David Ortiz. That extended the Dominican lead by three, which would open up to six. It was clear that this lineup is a force to reckon with, and will be making lots of noise.
But that did not end my day of baseball. No, there was another game to play. Mexico versus the United States. Jake Peavy had an impressive start, giving up just one hit in three scoreless innings. He struck out three batters. Peavy threw 23 pitches, 19 for strikes. Compare that to Rodrigo Lopez, the starter for Mexico, who threw 54 pitches, 41 for strikes in four innings. There is a pitch count in the World Baseball Classic, and since he threw over 50 pitches, he cannot pitch in another game until Saturday. The pitch limit for a game is 65. A pitcher is allowed to finish off an at-bat, but must be taken out after that. Ken Griffey Jr. had a big part in the high pitch count for Lopez, fouling off pitches in a 12 pitch at-bat in the first inning.
Derrek Lee launched a two-out homerun in the bottom of the fourth off of Lopez. After that, it was USA, all the way.
Chipper Jones gave the Americans some breathing room after jacking a one-out homerun in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Americans shut down the Mexicans, giving up just four hits. The Mexicans had their best shot in the 7th inning with two hits off of Todd Jones. But Jones buckled down and forced three ground outs in the inning.
After Peavy pitched three innings, Timlin, Cordero, Wheeler, Jones, Nathan, and Lidge pitched the next six innings. They allowed three hits and struck out six.
The pitching is the Americans' strength. Their deep bullpen will carry them far in this tournament.
The next game for the Americans is Wednesday at 4 EST versus Canada. Mexico plays South Africa at 9 EST on Wednesday. The projected starter for USA is Dontrelle Willis. Jason Varitek will be Willis' starting battery, as announced by Buck Martinez.
