Guide to the World Baseball Classic

[Ro Mueller]

Venezuela was surprisingly limited to just 5 hits against Nicaragua, but still prevailed 4-0 on two Ronald Acuna RBI hits (HR, single) and two other sacrifice flies.

5 Brewers participated:
- CF Jackson Chourio: 1-for-3, sac fly
- C William Contreras: 0-for-4
- LHP Angel Zerpa: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K
- RHP Stiven Cruz: 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks (Gleyber Torres, Andres Gimenez, Willson Contreras)
- SS Freddy Zamora: late defensive sub

[Ro Mueller]

Here’s Stiven Cruz of Nicaragua speaking about his earlier experience (Saturday) against the Dominican Republic: 

 

[Ro Mueller]

Team USA bolted out with a 5-run third inning against Mexico, cruised until Cubs’ LHP Matthew Boyd entered, then held on for a 5-3 win.

2B Brice Turang went 1-for-4 with a double for the US, but also had an error and another ball deflect off his glove (ruled a hit). SS Joey Ortiz went 0-for-3 for Mexico. 

 

[Ro Mueller]

The Czech Republic valiantly held Japan scoreless for 7 innings before allowing 13 hitters to come to the plate in a 9-run eighth inning, capped by Munetaka Murakami’s grand slam. Final score 9-0. 

 

[MoreTrife]

This USA game is really really annoying me. Planned a trip around USA quarterfinal appearance in Houston on Friday and now USA about to lose! Would be eliminated if Italy doesn't best Mexico! Ugh. 

[wOOgiE22]

Well Team USA goes down. Gotta hope Italy wins against Mexico or Mexico absolutely pours it on otherwise bye bye. That would be a colossal failure with this roster. 

[Ro Mueller]

Clutch 2-out hitting produced a 5-run 6th inning for Israel as they defeated the Netherlands 6-2. The Dutch were out-hit 8-3 and went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

[Ro Mueller]

1B Tyler Black played 5 innings of Canada’s 3-2 win over Puerto Rico, striking out and earning a run-scoring walk in 2 plate appearances.

The victory should give Canada some confidence before their Win-Or-Go-Home final group contest against Cuba on Wednesday. 

[Ro Mueller]

Did the Titanic just sink?

Sleepwalking Team USA committed 2 errors and fell behind 8-0 to Italy by the 6th inning, ultimately falling 8-6. Now they need help to make the knock-out rounds.

Michael Lorenzen shutout the Americans for 4.2 innings as Italy won despite being out-hit 11-6.

Brice Turang (1-for-2) entered as a pinch hitter down 8-1 with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th inning, delivering a double before Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 3-run homer. PCA homered again in the 9th, vital runs which might yet save Team USA.

The only remaining group game is Italy against Mexico. To sneak into the knock-out rounds, Team USA need any Italy victory OR a Mexico win with Mexico scoring at least 5 runs. A low-scoring win by Mexico would see the US crash out.

Andrew Fischer did not play for Italy. 

 

[da swedish german]

team usa makes me glad to be a brewer fan. horrible 3to offense and terrible defense(other than witt)

at this point blow the whole thing up. i've loved every second of this tournament that didn't involve watching "team" USA.

I'd rather root for a bunch of college kids or amateurs representing our country

[Playing Catch]

21 hours ago, Ro Mueller said:

Team USA bolted out with a 5-run third inning against Mexico, cruised until Cubs’ LHP Matthew Boyd entered, then held on for a 5-3 win.

2B Brice Turang went 1-for-4 with a double for the US, but also had an error and another ball deflect off his glove (ruled a hit). SS Joey Ortiz went 0-for-3 for Mexico. 

 

Anyone else look at Roman Anthony chugging around 3rd and question that 50-grade speed? I'm not sure he's the athlete prospect gurus think he is. More likely, though, is that I'm spoiled watching the Brewers run the bases.

Meanwhile, Turang just keeps smacking the ball around, hitting doubles off the wall in left-center, as well as ripping it down the RF line.

[Samurai Bucky]

4 hours ago, da swedish german said:

team usa makes me glad to be a brewer fan. horrible 3to offense and terrible defense(other than witt)

at this point blow the whole thing up. i've loved every second of this tournament that didn't involve watching "team" USA.

I'd rather root for a bunch of college kids or amateurs representing our country

No better example of this than Bryce Harper.  Ouch

[owbc]

Sounds like DeRosa thought the US had already advanced and let the players go out on Monday night. What a blunder.

Other than Harper I don’t have a huge problem with the lineup. Witt and Turang are the clear stars of the show. They lack pitching and were unmotivated last night. 

If they get lucky enough to advance they are going to get bounced by the more motivated teams. 

[markedman5]

2 hours ago, owbc said:

Sounds like DeRosa thought the US had already advanced and let the players go out on Monday night. What a blunder.

Other than Harper I don’t have a huge problem with the lineup. Witt and Turang are the clear stars of the show. They lack pitching and were unmotivated last night. 

If they get lucky enough to advance they are going to get bounced by the more motivated teams. 

Derosa not knowing how the tie breaker works is an unbelievable blunder……..and the idea that nobody else in USA baseball would have the right information and correct him is almost unfathomable.

i mean he said it hours before the game in an interview on mlb network! He thought they had “punched their ticket “ ………wow

[Ro Mueller]

Cal Quantrill (5 IP, 1 R (0 ER)) had a solid start, Abraham Toro (3-for-5) homered and Canada never trailed as they defeated Cuba 7-2 to earn a place in the quarterfinals.

Tyler Black did not play, as Cuba started a lefty pitcher.

[Ro Mueller]

Italy (3-0) battles Mexico (2-1), with 3B Andrew Fischer and SS Joey Ortiz in their respective lineups.

The Phillies’ Austin Nola starts for Italy and Cubs’ Javier Assad toes the rubber for Mexico.

Please score lots of runs, so Team USA can avoid elimination.

[Ro Mueller]

An RBI bunt and this 2-run single have pushed Italy's lead to 5-0 in the 5th inning, while also clinching a spot for the US in the quarterfinals (based on tie-breaker scenarios).

The winner of this Italy-Mexico game will earn the other quarterfinal slot. 

 

[Ro Mueller]

Vinnie Pasquantino smashed 3 homers and Austin Nola tossed 5 scoreless innings as Italy dominated Mexico 9-1 to win their group and qualify for the quarterfinals.

3B Andrew Fischer went 1-for-4 with an RBI double for the winners, while SS Joey Ortiz went 1-for-1 with a walk in defeat.

 

[Ro Mueller]

D.R. and Venezuela had already qualified for the knock-out rounds, but battled in an “Avoid Japan” finale to group play.

Four D.R. homers helped them build a 7-3 lead by the 4th inning, ultimately prevailing 7-5 after Abner Uribe struggled in the 9th (walked all 3 batters faced).

C William Contreras and CF Jackson Chourio combined to go 0-for-7 with a walk for Venezuela, while LHP Angel Zerpa pitched a scoreless 7th inning (2 H, 2 Ks).

[Outlander]

Looking forward to a Zerpa/Ohtani matchup in the WBC. Rooting for Conreras and Chourio to get out of their slump.

[Team Canada]

12 hours ago, Ro Mueller said:

Vinnie Pasquantino smashed 3 homers and Austin Nola tossed 5 scoreless innings as Italy dominated Mexico 9-1 to win their group and qualify for the quarterfinals.

3B Andrew Fischer went 1-for-4 with an RBI double for the winners, while SS Joey Ortiz went 1-for-1 with a walk in defeat.

 

Fischer has a really nice swing.

[wallus]

Brice is having a heck of a WBC

[yfinn6]

Nice hit for Tyler Black. 

[Ro Mueller]

NL Cy Young runner-up LHP Christopher Sanchez tossed 5 scoreless innings (8 Ks) as the Dominican Republic trounced South Korea 10-0 in 7 innings in Miami to cruise to the WBC semifinals.

C Austin Wells’ 3-run blast ended the contest early via mercy rule. South Korea was 2-hit and didn’t advance any runner to third base. 

 

[Ro Mueller]

5 hours ago, wallus said:

Brice is having a heck of a WBC