In-WBC Thread

[Gwreck]

Oliver Perez got touched up pretty good by Australia (?) today -- 2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits including 2 homers.

Mexico loses to Australia, 17-7, on the mercy rule after 8 innings.

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I figured Pool B as the weakest, but figured that Mexico would make it out along with Cuba. Looks like they could still make it but would probably have to beat Australia in a rematch.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Nymr83 wrote: I didn't watch, why did Difelice (4 shutout innings, 3 hits, no walks) get lifted by Italy after the 4th inning with only 45 pitches thrown? the guy was cruising and you cant even blame the pitch limits for removing him.

="WBC Rules"]A pitcher must: Not pitch until a minimum of four days have passed since he last pitched, if he threw 50 or more pitches when he last pitched;

[nymr83]

a reasonable argument IF they planned on starting him again tonight, he didnt start tonight's game against canada (though they lead 4-2 anyway.)

but why yank a guy when he's throwing a shutout, he was throwing 11 pitches an inning and could easily have gone 2 more innings (he would have needed to do so in 25 pitches) before they pulled him, and they lost that game after he game out.

[nymr83]

The netherlands is 9 outs from advancing to round 2! (only up 1 run though)
that would set up a Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico game where the loser goes home.

[nymr83]

An error on a potential inning-ending DP ball loads the bases for PR with 1 out. Ramon Vazquez at the plate with Beltran and Delgado to follow.

edit- infield fly by vazquea...its all up to Beltran!

edit2- beltran grounds out, inning over, nerherlands 6 outs away!

[Frayed Knot]

Summary to date:

Pool 'A': All finished for round 1
China & China (T) are out, Korea (1st place) and Japan (2nd) advance.

Pool 'B': So Africa is out. Cuba & Australia play a 'winners game' today.
Loser of that faces Mexico in an elimination tilt.

Pool 'C': The 'True North Strong and Free' was booted off their home turf while the Red White & Blue advance to round 2.
Venezuela & Italy face off today; loser goes home, winner faces USA for 1st/2nd

Pool 'D': Panama ousted without scoring a run.
DR gets a loser-goes-home rematch tonight with the Netherlands. Winner then faces Puerto Rico (already assured of advancing) for 1/2 seeding

[Guest Edgy DC]

Korea hanging on for the 1-0 win over Japan is something.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Saw some of the Mexico-South Afrika game last night. FWIW, Elmer Dessens had a pretty nice outing, looked strong and in control.

The final was like 14-3 Mexico but it was a 3-2 game till late. Africa's leadoff hitter, named NGOEA or something, showed Reyes-esque wheels smashing a leadoff triple.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Nymr83 wrote: a reasonable argument IF they planned on starting him again tonight, he didnt start tonight's game against canada (though they lead 4-2 anyway.) but why yank a guy when he's throwing a shutout, he was throwing 11 pitches an inning and could easily have gone 2 more innings (he would have needed to do so in 25 pitches) before they pulled him, and they lost that game after he game out.

I guess they wanted him available if they did need him.

[Frayed Knot]

Edgy DC wrote: Korea hanging on for the 1-0 win over Japan is something.

Kind of a little less meaningful as both knew they were advancing to the next round before the game even started.
Each club trotted out about 5-6 fresh pitchers which helped keep the scoring down.

[Guest attgig]

Frayed Knot wrote: ="Edgy DC"]Korea hanging on for the 1-0 win over Japan is something. Kind of a little less meaningful as both knew they were advancing to the next round before the game even started. Each club trotted out about 5-6 fresh pitchers which helped keep the scoring down.

few horrible baserunning blunders by korea to keep it at 1-0.

[Guest Edgy DC]

That's kind of what I like about it being nailbiter. Nothing on the line but pride.

All games are exhibitions. It's how you play them that lends meaning. The Koreans played hard (if clumsy on the basepaths).

[Gwreck]

Dominicans and Netherlands playing to 0-0 tie when in the top of the 11th with 2 outs, Jose gets a walk.

Next batter, with an 0-2 count hits a low liner to right which the Netherlands rightfielder misses while sliding forward to make the catch...and Jose is off to the races to score the go-ahead run.

[Guest Kong76]

Not glued to it, but I've had this game on for hours.

I hope Nederlanders can tie it up and prolong the suspense at least.

[bmfc1]

Well, Jose will be back in PSL in a few days.

[Guest Kong76]

Fun game to watch.

[Guest Edgy DC]

AND THEY DO!

[Guest Edgy DC]

Holy crap! Dutch treat!

OE: Winning run comes home Buckner-style, on an error by Willie Aybar.

Told you they should have had a shortstop at first.

Edited March 10, 2009 by Guest

[Gwreck]

Jose Reyes, please report back to Port St. Luice on the double.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Aaaaaand the Dominicans are out.

Although it's understandable, this trouble they had with the Dutch-- you don't really stop Randall Simon, you just pitch to contact, and hope he doesn't knock the crap out of your sausages.

[Guest Edgy DC]

The truth is that of the teams with primarily big leaguers --- the US, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic, ours is the only team with impressive pitching.

That doesn't explain how the Dutch shut them out all those innings, and it's a hell of a way for Felipe Alou to end his career.

Hey, Jose Reyes, how about checking that .111 batting average at the door?

[Guest Edgy DC]

Three more scoreless innings for Pedro. Ubaldo Jimenez struck out 10 in four innings.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Edgy DC wrote: The truth is that of the teams with primarily big leaguers --- the US, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic, ours is the only team with impressive pitching.

DR's starters-- Volquez, Cueto, Jimenez, the reanimated bones of Pedro-- are actually pretty damn good, if mostly young/not battle-tested. And the bullpen is-- or, rather, was-- chock full of gasolina, with Marmol, Raffy Perez, Marte and Arredondo.

I think the key was the -ffense... very much missing O.

[Frayed Knot]

Jim Kaat: "You ain't much if you ain't Dutch"

[soupcan]

It definitely was a fun game to watch.

I was rootin' for the Nederlanders but was torn every time Jose came up to bat.

[Guest Edgy DC]

A quick look for Dominican no-shows:

Carlos Villanueva
Jose Valverde
Rafael Soriano
Jose Veras
Salomon Torres
Rafael Soriano
Ervin Santana
Wandy Rodriguez
Al Reyes
Felix Rodriguez
Francisco Cordero

That said, if the offense shows up but doesn't show up, it doesn't matter if you've got Sandy Koufax.

I wonder if they'll blame A-Rod.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Now the wallabees are showing heart against Cuba.

[nymr83]

The Netherlands twice beating DR is pretty big for them

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Edgy DC wrote: Now the wallabees are showing heart against Cuba.

INdeed. Just scratched their way back into a tie... then a 4-2 lead. Top 7.

[nymr83]

Snelling and Huber are the only guys in the Australian lineup i've heard of. lets go guys!!
a Mexico-Cuba elimination game would be cool