Let's start in Toronto, where the USA took it to Venezuela 15-6. There was not much good news for Venezuela, including our boys. The USA scored 8 runs in the 6th inning and Yoel Hernandez came into the game in the middle of the festivities. He faced 4 hitters, retiring 1, and giving up a walk, a double to Dustin Pedroia and a 2-run homer to Kevin Youkilis, charged with 3 earned runs. Victor Moreno fared a little better, recording the last 5 outs of the game. Victor game up 3 hits and a walk, allowing a couple of inherited runners to score and then gave up a home run to Ryan Braun in the 9th inning, which concluded the scoring. Venezuela will play the winner of tonight's Canada v Italy match on Tuesday. The win pushed the USA into the next round in Miami.
In San Juan, the Dominican Republic rebounded from their embarrassing loss to the Netherlands on Saturday by eliminating Panama with a 9-0 pasting. Carlos Ruiz was 1 for 3, and finished his WBC with a 2 for 5 performance. The stiffness in his neck was a passing pain and he was OK enough to play the whole game. Now he can return to Clearwater and Phillies camp. Avelino Asprilla got into the game as a pinch runner, but did not get an at bat, again. At least I got to see him on TV. The DR will play the loser of today's Puerto Rico v Netherlands game tomorrow.
In Mexico City, Cuba put on impressive power display, belting 6 home runs, defeating Republic of South Africa 8-1. The 2006 WBC runner-up will face Australia next, as the Aussies ripped host Mexico 17-7. Brad Harman played a GREAT game for Australia, going 3 for 5, and was hit by a pitch, scored 4 runs and drove in another one. Oh yeah, he also made 2 great plays in the field. Mexico will face South Africa in an elimination game today, with the Cuba v Australia game on Tuesday.
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