The World Baseball Classic got underway for the United States yesterday and went well. Team USA was able to escape with a 6-5 victory over Team Canada yesterday in Toronto.
Jake Peavy started for Team USA and went three innings, allowing two runs and two hits. He walked three and struck out four.
“This is a playoff atmosphere,” Peavy said. “Everything is on the line, you’re doing everything you can to win and advance in this tournament, and playing for your country just takes that through the roof. It’s as good an atmosphere as it gets, I believe.”
Kevin Youkillis of the Boston Red Sox added a homerun for America in the 4th inning. Atlanta Braves catcher
Brian McCann added a two-run shot a couple batters later.
The Yankees'
Derek Jeter went 2-for-3 in yesterday's opening game.
There were numerous spots in the game in which both teams had chances with runners in scoring positions but couldn't deliver. Team USA had the bases loaded twice and couldn't score.
In the ninth inning, the Mets'
JJ Putz closed out the game for Team USA but in typical Mets bullpen fashion, he made it interesting. Putz gave up an RBI double to the Reds'
Joey Votto that brought Canada within 6-5. Then Putz got the Twins'
Justin Moreanu to ground out for the win.
“I just tried to get ahead of him and we were able to,” Putz said. “We tried to get him to chase some sliders and he laid off a couple of good ones. With (Matt) Stairs sitting on deck, he’s a guy that I’ve had some trouble with in the past, so I really wanted to focus in and try to get Bay to end the game.”
If you watched this game you could feel the emotion going into the game. This was surely not your average exhibition game.
“It was one of those situations where you’re on the edge of your seat,” Jeter said. “It’s a lot more nerve-racking watching, I think, than it is playing.
As the tournament continues, so will the intensity. Team USA is off to a good start, lets see how far they can go from here.
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Tags:
Baseball,
Brian McCann,
Derek Jeter,
Dominican Team USA,
Jake Peavy,
JJ Putz,
Joey Votto,
Justin Moreanu,
Matt Stairs,
Team Canada,
WBC
What a game! Team USA down 5-3 in the ninth and manages three runs in their last at-bat to avoid elimination from the WBC and sends Puerto Rico home.
