What a Game! USA…USA
Day 66
If you didn’t get to watch the USA defeat Canada 6-5 in the first round of the World Baseball Classic, you missed one hell of a game.
It had everything you want in a good game. The long ball was king and pitching was no slouch either. Late game nerves and a catcher running to the mound to make sure no signs were stolen in the ninth.
Both teams had great defensive plays and twice in back to back innings the Canadians worked their way out of bases loaded situations where the United States could have blown the game wide open.
Seattle Mariners 20-year-old pitcher, Phillippe Aumont, showed why he was a first round draft pick and why he probably won’t be playing Single-A ball for too long. After loading the bases, he settled in to get three straight outs to shut down the advance of team USA. He looked more like a veteran and baseball fans should not be suprised if he is dominating the American League in a few years.
Team USA had three homeruns. Kevin Youkilis, Adam Dunn and Brian McCann all got in on the action while Canada had Russell Martin and Joey Votto sending shots into the stands.
It didn’t take much of a baseball fan to realize there were a lot of rivals playing for team USA on the field today. Watching Jeter throw to Youkilis at first base was awkward at first and seeing Rollins come in and play shortstop while David Wright was not far away was something to see.They were playing for the name on the front of the jersey and not the back and they left the rivalries at home.
That was the most enjoyable part of getting to see the game today. No matter whether you are a Red Sox fan you had to root for a Yankee player or whether you hate the Phillies you couldn’t help for Victorino to track the ball down in the outfield. As a Rockies faithful, I may have been tougher on USA starter Jake Peavy but I was glad to see him interviewed later in the game and the excitement he had for the Classic.
I just hope everyone is as excited tomorrow when team USA takes the field again. One of my favorite Rockies players, who I have followed since his days in Triple-A ball, Chris Ianetta will be the starting catcher and I hope he puts on a show.
Photo credit- Christian Peterson, Getty Images
-Chris Ianetta-4.bp.blogspot.com/
Wow. Sounds like a great game. So mad I missed it! (This spring training thing is all consuming, but I’m loving every minute of it.)
– http://janeheller.mlblogs.com
I WATCH IT!!! It was a great game and YOOOOUUUUKKKK hit a home run! Happy days! GO USA!!!!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
It was such a good game that I was actually hoping Canada would tie it up in the 9th, just so it would keep going! Lots of great baseball today! It’s heaven!
-Kathy
http://redbirdchatter.mlblogs.com
I love Iannetta. That kid’s going to be something special.
http://houston.mlblogs.com
That was definitely a hell of a game. I’m proud McCann had a great day. I first though the U.S. were gonna lose until he hit that homer. It definitely helped the U.S. We need to keep it up.
http://darion.mlblogs.com/
Whoo-hoo!!! Go USA 🙂 The way Jake pitched yesterday was bitter-sweet. There were both positive and negative sides. But overall, he did a good job.
http://hyunyoung.mlblogs.com
I wanted Canada to win, but whatever. It was a great game, though. I’m just glad to have real, live baseball games again.
-Erin
http://plunking-gomez.mlblogs.com
Yeah, that Aumont kid looked pretty damn good. I was watching an M’s spring game a week or so ago and he caught my eye. That curve is just sick. If he can work out some control issues, he’ll be household by 2012.
http://thehappyyoungster.mlblogs.com/
I didn’t get to watch it, but I heard about my boy Jake and his outing. Sounds like he did pretty well! Hey, you guys are beating us again! What’s up with that? I am not happy with the Padres’ pitching staff right now. Grrrr…we’ve given up 32 runs in the last three games…
http://kaybee.mlblogs.com
baseball is very propular in usa.
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