Cinderella has wooden shoes!!

In what has to be viewed as the biggest upset in the history of international baseball, the Netherlands beat the Dominican Republic Tuesday night in San Juan, 2-1 in 11 innings. It was the second time this week that Netherlands upset the DR, who was one of the favorites in this tournament. The Netherlands joins Puerto Rico, USA and Venezuela for the second round in Miami. The games there begin Saturday, and the match-ups for the first games will be determined by the outcome of the games today (Netherlands v PR; Venezuela v USA) with the winner of one game playing the loser of the other game. Venezuela eliminated Italy, 10-1 last night to advance. Jack Santora drove in Italy's lone run, also walking twice in the contest. Victor Moreno worked a scoreless 9th inning for Venezuela, allowing 1 hit and 1 walk.

Late last night in Mexico City, Cuba came from behind to top Australia, 5-4. Brad Harman played another good game at shortstop for Australia, and although he was 0 for 2, he did have a walk in the 3-run 6th inning rally which gave Australia a 4-2 lead. Harman and his Aussie mates will take on Mexico tonight, with the final spot in the next round on the line. The loser goes home, the winner joins Cuba, Japan, and Korea in San Diego, with the games beginning there on Sunday.

In addition to those critical games, there are 2 exhibitions in Arizona, with Japan taking on the Giants, and Korea facing off with the Padres, as those WBC teams try to stay loose and ready to go over the weekend.

In Florida Tuesday, the Braves beat Houston, 7-4. Michael Bourn had a single, an RBI and a stolen base for the Astros. The Phillies have started reassigning players to minor league camp, Jeremy Slayden was among them.

News out of Arizona, the Athletics have reassigned Adrian Cardenas to minor league camp. "AC" was 4 for 11 (.364) in 6 games in big league camp. Meanwhile, the Giants beat Texas, 6-4. Elizardo Ramirez was charged with the loss, allowing an unearned run on 3 hits in his inning of work. "Easy" has not allowed an EARNED run this spring. Chris Roberson's tough spring contines, Robey was 0 for 3 in the Diamondback's 6-3 loss to the Dodgers.