IGT, 3/7, Netherlands at Domican Republic

[Guest Edgy DC]

Holland blows minds by opening with three runs in the first.

I have to say that the US, among teams populated mostly by MLB-ers, are the only ones with a deep pitching staff at all. Edison Volquez coughed it up in the first for the DR. Sidney Ponson going for the Dutch. Randall Simon and Eugene Kingsale are the only other familiarities in the Dutch lineup.

Andruw couldn't even make this team?

[Guest Edgy DC]

The DR gets two on the first (infield hit by Wily Taveras and a walk by Hanley Ramirez) and Papi nad Miguel Tejada (playing third for A-Rod) strand them.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Ponson has lost weight (still enormous), and he's been fortune's favorite so far. Two batters reach in the second before Miguel Olivo lines one toward second. The Dutch secondbaseman (Giants prospect Sharlon Schoop, actually from Cura�ao) drops it, apparently unintentionally, and then gets the double play on forceouts as the runners run rhe wrong way thinking they need to return to their bases of origin.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Still 3-0 after three. The Doms keep getting runners on and coming up empty. Indian Rafael Perez coming on for the DR.

Hanley Ramirez's throws are all over, and a throwing error in the first helped the Dutch rally.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

That's fate punishing the Doms for benching Josex4.

[Guest Edgy DC]

There's something to that. Nelson Cruz. Willy Aybar. Isn't an out-of-position Reyes better than these guys? Cano too, probably, if he's anything like he was last year.

Miguel Tejada gets one back with a homer.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Here comes Pedro!

[Guest Edgy DC]

Smooth fifth for Pedro. One hit but on a bunt with miscommunicated fielding.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Rally for a second run by the DR. Pedro on for a second inning.

Mario Soto coaching the Dominican pitchers.

[Guest Edgy DC]

He fans a Dutchman named Greg Salman with high heat.

[Guest Edgy DC]

And gets Yurendel de Caster up and in.

Yeah, I'd sign him and hope he brings along some of that.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

sucka

[Guest Edgy DC]

Nah, it's all the price, but I'm certain he's got more to bring this season than any of Hernandez/Redding/Garcia. Maybe all them.

The problem isn't signing old or post-op guys. It's not having an andequate contingency plan.

Dutch Pitcher of the Year Rob Cordemaans on. Papi up with one on. I'd sign Cordemaans also.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Cordemaans get squeezed adn Papi walks.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

="Edgy DC"]Nah, it's all the price, but I'm certain he's got more to bring this season than any of Hernandez/Redding/Garcia. Maybe all them. The problem isn't signing old or post-op guys. It's not having an andequate contingency plan.

Well, part of it's the "old/post-op" part, if they're looking for guaranteed money.

That said, you can actually make that work to your advantage-- I was almost rooting more for a Sheets signing after the injury revelations-- if you sign him to a 1-to-2 year/6 mil deal with team options, it costs you a couple mil for paid rehab; whether he comes back at midseason or next ST, you've still got a potential ace for 5-6 mil total.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Bottom 8... Someone should probably get on base soon for the Powerhouses, no?

[Guest Edgy DC]

Tatis in the game for the Doms. Papi was lifted for a pinch-runner.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Bottom 9. 3-2 Nederlanders. Taveras leads off with a walk against Dutchman Leon (Oel Caaan) Boyd.

Cano, HanRam and Tatis coming up.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Taveras leads off with a walk, lookin' to steal.

Hit and run grounder by Cano moves him to second. Hanley up and Jose Bautista (in for Papi) on deck.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Wow! Taveras out stealing!

[Guest Edgy DC]

Hanley walks. Bautista digs in.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Holy crap, huh?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Heads-up play by Taveras-- CS at third, with HanRam and the Dominican heart-of-order up-- brings 'em to their last out.

HanRam walks... and Bautista Ks to end it.

[bmfc1]

Can the Mets sign the Netherlands' catcher?

[A Boy Named Seo]

He's already a single A Dodger.

Pedro looked great. Fun to see the Dutch win anyway.