World Baseball Classic results

(Game winner in bold)
(eliminated team (2 loses) in purple)
(Pool Runner-up in bold purple)

ROUND 1

POOL A | Tokyo Dome • Tokyo, Japan

Teams: China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea

Game 1, Thu., March 5, China 0 vs. Japan 4 BOX>

Game 2, Fri., March 6, Chinese Taipei 0 vs. Korea 9 BOX>

Game 3, Sat., March 7, China 4 vs. Chinese Taipei 1 BOX>

Game 4, Sat., March 7, Japan 14 vs. Korea 2 BOX>
(7 innings mercy rule used)

Game 5, Sun. March 8, China 0 vs. Korea 14 BOX>
(7 innings mercy rule used)

Game 6, Mon. March 9, Japan 0 vs. Korea 1 BOX>
(BOTH TEAMS ADVANCE)


POOL B | Estadio Foro Sol • Mexico City, Mexico

Teams: Australia, Cuba, Mexico, South Africa

Game 1, Sun., March 8, South Africa 1 vs. Cuba 8 BOX>

Game 2, Sun., March 8, Australia 17 vs. Mexico 7 BOX>
(8 innings mercy rule used)

Game 3, Mon., March 9, South Africa 3 vs. Mexico 14 BOX>

Game 4, Tue., March 10, Cuba 5 vs. Australia 4 BOX>
8 p.m. local/10 p.m. ET

Game 5, Wed. March 11, Mexico 16 vs. Australia 1 (6 innings) BOX>
8 p.m. local/10 p.m. ET

Game 6, Thu. March 12, Cuba 16 vs. Mexico 4 (7 innings) BOX>
7 p.m. local/9 p.m. ET (BOTH TEAMS ADVANCE)


POOL C | Rogers Centre • Toronto, Canada

Teams: Canada, Italy, United States, Venezuela

Game 1, Sat., March 7, United States 6 vs. Canada 5 BOX>

Game 2, Sat., March 7, Italy 0 vs. Venezuela 7 BOX>

Game 3, Sun., March 8, United States 15 vs. Venezuela 6 BOX>

Game 4, Mon., March 9, Canada 2 vs. Italy 6 BOX>

Game 5, Tue., March 10, Venezuela 10 vs. Italy 1 BOX>
5 p.m. local (ET)

Game 6, Wed. March 11, United States 3 vs. Venezuela 5 BOX>
6:30 p.m. local (ET) (BOTH TEAMS ADVANCE)


POOL D | Hiram Bithorn Stadium • San Juan, Puerto Rico

Teams: Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico

Game 1, Sat., March 7, Netherlands 3 vs. Dominican Republic 2 BOX>

Game 2, Sat., March 7, Panama 0 vs. Puerto Rico 7 BOX>

Game 3, Sun., March 8, Dominican Republic 9 vs. Panama 0 BOX>

Game 4, Mon., March 9, Netherlands 1 vs. Puerto Rico 3 BOX>

Game 5, Tue., March 10, Dominican Republic 1 vs. Netherlands 2 (11 innings) BOX>

Game 6, Wed., March 11, Puerto Rico 5 vs. Netherlands 0 BOX>
5 p.m. local/ET (BOTH TEAMS ADVANCE)


ROUND 2

POOL 1 | PETCO Park • San Diego, Calif.

Teams: Korea and Japan, Cuba and Mexico

Game 1, Sun., March 15, Japan 6 vs. Cuba 0 BOX>
1 p.m. local/4 p.m. ET - ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, MLB.TV

Game 2, Sun., March 15, Mexico 2 vs. Korea 8 BOX>
8 p.m. local/11 p.m. ET - ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, MLB.TV

Game 3, Mon., March 16, Cuba 7 vs. Mexico 4 BOX>
8 p.m. local/11 p.m. ET - ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, MLB.TV

Game 4, Tue., March 17, Japan 1 vs. Korea 4 BOX>
8 p.m. local/11 p.m. ET - MLBN, ESPN Deportes, MLB.TV

Game 5, Wed., March 18, Cuba 0 vs. Japan 5 BOX>
8 p.m. local/11 p.m. ET - ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, MLB.TV

Game 6, Thu., March 19, Korea 2 vs. Japan 6 BOX>
6 p.m. local/9 p.m. ET - ESPN, ESPN Deportes, MLB.TV
(BOTH TEAMS ADVANCE)


POOL 2 | Dolphin Stadium • Miami, Fla.

Teams: Venezuela and United States, Puerto Rico and Netherlands

Game 1, Sat., March 14, Netherlands 1 vs. Venezuela 3 BOX>
1 p.m. local (ET) - MLBN, ESPN Deportes, MLB.TV

Game 2, Sat., March 14, United States 1 vs. Puerto Rico 11 (7 innings) BOX>
8 p.m. local (ET) - MLBN, ESPN Deportes, MLB.TV

Game 3, Sun., March 15, Netherlands 3 vs. United States 9 BOX>
7:30 p.m. local (ET) - ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, MLB.TV

Game 4, Mon., March 16, Venezuela 2 vs. Puerto Rico 0 BOX>
8 p.m. local (ET) - ESPN, ESPN Deportes, MLB.TV

Game 5, Tue., March 17, United States 6 vs. Puerto Rico 5 BOX>
7 p.m. local (ET) - MLBN, ESPN Deportes, MLB.TV

Game 6, Wed., March 18, United States 6 vs. Venezuela 10 BOX>
7 p.m. local (ET) - MLBN, ESPN Deportes, MLB.TV


FINALS

Finals | Dodger Stadium • Los Angeles, Calif.
100 pitch limit, No more Mercy rule

Teams: Japan and Korea, Venezuela and United States

Semifinal 1, Sat., March 21, Korea 10 vs. Venezuela 2 BOX>
6 p.m. local/9 p.m. ET - ESPN, ESPN Deportes, MLB.TV

Semifinal 2, Sun., March 22, United States 4 vs. Japan 9 BOX>
5 p.m. local/8 p.m. ET - ESPN, ESPN Deportes, MLB.TV

Final, Mon., March 23, Korea vs. Japan
6:30 p.m. local/9:30 p.m. ET - ESPN, ESPN Deportes, MLB.TV

Thursday, March 05, 2009 7:56:00 AM
Japan silences China in Classic opener
Starter Darvish tosses four hitless innings; Ichiro 0-for-5

By Wayne Graczyk / Special to MLB.com

# Recap: Japan 4, China 0 Watch
# Ichiro's running grab Watch
# Play-by-Play: Japan 4, China 0
# Box score >

TOKYO -- Team Japan won the opening game of the 2009 World Baseball Classic, beating a punchless China club, 4-0, before a flag-waving, camera flashing, mostly Japanese crowd of 43,428 in Tokyo on Thursday night.

Each team collected five hits during the game, with the big blow for Japan a two-run home run by third baseman Shuichi Murata.

Six Japanese pitchers combined for the shutout, with starter Yu Darvish getting the victory. Darvish went the first four innings, allowing only one base runner on a walk in the second. He faced the minimum number and struck out three.

"It was good I was able to complete four innings," said Darvish who had been struggling in exhibition game appearances prior to the start of the Classic. "My out pitch was working well tonight."

Japan threatened to score in the first two innings, but China starter Li Chenhao worked out of a couple of jams and stranded three Japanese base runners.

The Samurai broke the scoreless deadlock in the bottom of the third when Norichika Aoki singled to center, driving in Hiroyuki Nakajima, who had walked and stole second. Murata followed with his line-drive home run into the left-field stands to make the score 3-0.

Japan added a fourth run without a hit in the bottom of the sixth inning when with two outs after two walks and a force out, China pitcher Sun Guoqiang balked with runners at first and third.

Superstar and fan favorite Ichiro Suzuki was held in check by the Chinese hurlers, going 0-for-5. Like Darvish, Ichiro also slumped through the Classic tuneup games.

Japan manager Tatsunori Hara said the key to the game was the pitching by Darvish. "He set the stage, and I am very proud of him," said Hara. "When you don't give the other team any runs, that is a shortcut to victory."

China manager Terry Collins also expressed pride in the way his team -- especially the pitchers -- performed.

"Whenever you face a lineup like (Japan's) and give up only five hits, you've pitched a good game."

As for his team's handling of Ichiro, Collins said, "We got him at the right time. You're not going to hold down Ichiro for very long, and he could have just as easily gone 5-for-5.

The atmosphere at Tokyo Dome resembled that of a mid-summer all-star game with a lavish opening ceremony, the first ball thrown by Sadaharu Oh, the world home run king and manager of Japan's 2006 Classic championship team, and numerous pitching changes because of the Classic pitch-count rule.

Japan's Crown Prince Hironomiya and Crown Princess Masako attended the game, waving to the crowd from a royal box at the end of the seventh inning.

Japan now faces the winner of Friday's game between Korea and Chinese Taipei on Saturday night, while China plays the loser of that game on Saturday afternoon.

Starting pitchers for Friday's game have been announced as Ryu Hyunjin for Korea and Lee Chen-Chang for Chinese Taipei.

Wayne Graczyk is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Ichiro goes 0 for 5


WOW!

WHoo! Good Job Ichiro! That doesnt say your overpayed....

gdennis59 wrote:

WHoo! Good Job Ichiro! That doesnt say your overpayed....

Poor Ichiro

I dont care. I dont like him.

gdennis59 wrote:

I dont care. I dont like him.

Not a fan of Ichiro

But it sucks to go 0 for 5

Unless it is Hairston

Then it is funny

He did make a good running grab to save extra base hit... see video added to game summery post above.

True

Friday, March 06, 2009 7:05:00 AM
Korea makes grand statement in rout

By Wayne Graczyk / Special to MLB.com

• Box score >
  
• Lee's grand slam: Watch
  
• Jeong's two-run shot: Watch
  

TOKYO -- Right-fielder Jin Young Lee belted a grand slam to cap a six-run first inning and propel Team Korea to a 9-0 win over Chinese Taipei in World Baseball Classic Pool A action on Friday night at Tokyo Dome.

Following a bases loaded two-run single to left by cleanup hitter Tae Kyun Kim, Lee connected off Chinese Taipei starter Chen-Chang Lee, who was knocked out after throwing 27 pitches. His control was not there, as he walked three and hit one Korean batter before giving up the grand slam.

Korea added to its lead in the bottom of the fifth, scoring a run on an infield single by Dae Ho Lee. Keun Woo Jeong then blasted a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to make it 9-0.

Starting left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu earned the win, pitching four-plus innings of one-hit ball and striking out three.

Both teams were backed by small but loud cheering sections on their respective sides of the Tokyo Dome stands, with the Korean fans on the third base side and the Chinese Taipei supporters behind the team's first-base dugout. A contingent of Korean rooters, clad in the team's white jerseys with blue lettering, took up an entire section in the left-field bleachers.

Korea will meet Japan on Saturday night while Chinese Taipei plays China Saturday afternoon at Tokyo Dome. The loser of the Chinese Taipei-China game will be eliminated from the Classic.

Wayne Graczyk is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

gdennis59 wrote:

I dont care. I dont like him.

Ichiro Sucks


He should go back to Japan and work in the rice paddies

Saturday, March 07, 2009 9:25:00 AM
Japan tops Korea, advances in Classic

By Wayne Graczyk / MLB.com

• Box score >
  
• Murata's three-run shot
  
• Johjima goes deep
  
• Ichiro collects three hits
  

TOKYO -- A much-anticipated pitching matchup between Daisuke Matsuzaka of Japan and Korea's Kwang Hyun Kim never developed in Game 4 of Pool A action at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Instead, it was a hitters' game as the Japanese stunned the Koreans, 14-2, while amassing 14 hits. The game was called after seven innings because of the mercy rule.

Japan, playing as the visiting team in front of a packed house at Tokyo Dome, jumped on Kim for three runs on four hits in the top of the first inning with the big blow a two-run double down the left-field line off the bat of Seiichi Uchikawa.

Korea answered with a pair of runs off Matsuzaka in the bottom of the inning on a two-run home run blast by first baseman and cleanup hitter Tae Kyun Kim. The shot caromed off a beer advertising billboard high above the left-field bleachers. It would be all the Korean team's offense for the evening.

Kim was knocked out in the top of the second as Japan scored five times. Third baseman and No. 4 batter Shuichi Murata slammed a three-run home run to left, his second homer of the tournament.

Matsuzaka settled down, holding the Koreans scoreless for three innings, and Korea could not get anything going against three Japanese relievers.

Japan added a ninth run in the top of the fourth and two more in the fifth, increasing the lead to 11-2 and prompting the Tokyo Dome scoreboard to flash a message reminding everyone of the tournament rule regarding early termination for large leads when a team is ahead by 10 or more runs after completing the seventh inning.

Catcher Kenji Jojima put Japan over the top and in position for the early victory with a two-run homer in the top of the sixth.

After going 0-for-5 in the tournament's first game against China, Japan leadoff man Ichiro Suzuki broke out of a slump with three hits, including a single in the first that got things going.

"Of course, Ichiro's leadoff hit was huge," said Japan manager Tatsunori Hara, who appeared relived his No. 1 hitter apparently returned to form. "This was a big win for us, especially for the players (such as Uchikawa) who had their first experience in international play."

Matsuzaka said his performance tonight was "not good at all" and indicated he had trouble throwing his breaking ball for strikes. He said the key to his not being bothered by Tae Kyun Kim's mammoth homer was the ability to remain calm.

"I was so happy to get the three-run lead in the first," he said.

Korea now faces China in an elimination game on Sunday night, and Japan, assured of advancement to Round 2, will play the winner in the Pool A finale Monday.

Wayne Graczyk is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Ichiro still sucks!

Saturday, March 07, 2009 2:33:00 PM
Dutch shock Dominican Republic
Netherlands capitalizes on three errors to claim opening win

By Will Gonzalez / Special to MLB.com

• Ramirez error costs Dominican: Watch
  
• Netherlands defense holds off DR: Watch
  
• Boyd closes out the Dominicans: Watch
  

SAN JUAN, P.R. -- The Netherlands pulled off one of the biggest upsets in World Baseball Classic history on Saturday when it defeated the Dominican Republic, 3-2, in the first game of Pool D.

The Netherlands did not waste time asserting itself. It took advantage of erratic fielding from the Dominican infield to go ahead 3-0 in the top of the first inning.

Eugene Kingsale led off with an infield single, and Sharlon Scoop followed him with a well-executed bunt that the Dominican catcher, Miguel Olivo, had trouble with throwing to first and was subsequently charged with an error.

Dominican starter Edinson Volquez retired the next two batters, but he ended up loading the bases when he walked Yurendell de Caster.

Volquez was not sharp in the first inning. He followed that walk with a wild pitch to the next batter, Sharnol Adriana, which permitted the Netherlands to score the first run of the game.

In the first inning, Volquez used 29 of the maximum 70 pitches he could throw in the first-round game.

Adriana pushed in two more runs against Volquez when he hit a sharp grounder to Dominican shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who stopped with a dive to his left, but threw off first base for an error.

The Netherlands' starter, Sidney Ponson, was not spectacular, scattering five hits, three walks and was responsible for two earned runs. One of the runs came on a home run by Dominican third baseman Miguel Tejada in the fourth inning. The other was attributed to him after he left the game with Olivo on second and Willy Taveras on first. Olivo scored on a sacrifice fly by Ramirez off reliever Alexander Smit, who faced only three batters.

Smit allowed Robinson Cano to hit a single, Ramirez to hit the sacrifice fly, and he walked David Ortiz intentionally to put runners on first and second for the next reliever, Rob Cordemans.

Cordemans walked a tight rope in his 2 2/3 innings of relief, but he never let the Netherlands' lead fall. He induced Tejada to hit into a double play in the fifth with the help of a spectacular play from third baseman de Caster, who scooped up a hard ground ball from Tejada, pivoted off third base to force out the runner coming from second and threw across the diamond to catch Tejada and complete an inning-ending double play.

Cordemans retired Tejada to end an inning again with two men on base, when in the seventh, Tejada hit a fly ball to center after Ramirez hit a single to right and Ortiz walked.

Dennis Neuman relieved Cordenas in the eighth and allowed only a walk.

Right-handed submariner Leon Boyd came in the ninth to close the game by facing the top of the Dominican order. He walked the first batter, Taveras, but retired Cano with a grounder to second.

Netherlands catcher Kenley Jansen caught Taveras trying to steal third base for the second out. Boyd then walked Ramirez, but Jose Bautista struck out, thereby sealing a victory for the Netherlands that few believed was possible.

Will Gonzalez is a contributor for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Saturday, March 07, 2009 5:04:00 PM
USA power its way to win over Canada
Youkilis, McCann, Dunn homer in opener of Pool C round

By Ed Eagle / MLB.com

• McCann's two-run blast: Watch
  
• Youkilis' homer: Watch
  

TORONTO -- Team USA drilled three home runs on Saturday to power its way to a 6-5 win over the home-favorite Canadians in the opener of Pool C of the World Baseball Classic at Rogers Centre.

American first baseman Kevin Youkilis hit a solo home run in the fourth inning for one of his three runs scored on the day. Three batters later, catcher Brian McCann took Team Canada starter Mike Johnson deep for a two-run shot that put the U.S. ahead to stay at 4-2. McCann also opened the scoring for the Americans with a sacrifice fly in the second.

After Team Canada pulled to within one run by scoring on U.S. reliever Joel Hanrahan's wild pitch in the top of the sixth, Team USA right fielder Adam Dunn silenced the crowd of 42,314 with a two-run shot to right-center field in the bottom of the frame.

Team USA starter Jake Peavy allowed two runs on two hits and three walks, and he needed 58 pitches to get through three innings of work. One of the two hits Peavy allowed was Toronto native Joey Votto's towering home run to right field in the third inning that put the Canadians ahead, 2-1.

The Americans will next play on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET against the winner of Saturday's matchup between Italy and Venezuela. Team Canada will play the loser of the Italy/Venezuela game on Monday at 6:30 p.m.

Ed Eagle is an editorial producer for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Saturday, March 07, 2009 5:36:00 PM
Panama falls victim to Pudge, P.R
Must now face Dominican Republic in elimination match

By Will Gonzalez / Special to MLB.com

Box score

SAN JUAN, P.R. -- Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez led Puerto Rico to a 7-0 victory over Panama in Game 2 of Pool D play in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday.

Pudge hit two home runs and a double in his first four at-bats of the game.

In his first at-bat, he hit a single and stole second base.

In his second at-bat, in the fourth inning, he hit a solo home run deep beyond the 375-foot sign in left-center field. The blast gave Puerto Rico a 2-0 lead. Carlos Delgado gave Puerto Rico its first run in the second inning with a solo home run to right field.

Pudge hit a double in his third at-bat, in the sixth inning. He scored soon thereafter when Puerto Rico's designated hitter, Geovany Soto, hit another double.

In his fourth at-bat, in the seventh inning, he hit another homer, this time a three-run shot over the right-center-field fence to give Puerto Rico a 7-0 lead.

The hometown fans went wild after Pudge's three-run homer and started chanting "Ivan, Ivan, Ivan'. Pudge had to come out to field and wave towards the stands. It was his third standing ovation of the game. He walked in his final at-bat, in the eighth.

Javier Vazquez, Puerto Rico's starter, shut out Panama in his 4 1/3 innings of work. He scattered four hits and one walk. He struck out three and exited after throwing 60 pitches.

The only threat that Panama could mount against Vazquez occurred in the third inning. After one out, Luis Durango hit an infield single to the shortstop and Angel Chavez hit a single to left to put men on first and second. Vazquez then induced Ruben Rivera to hit a line drive to the left of second baseman Felipe Lopez, who dove, caught the liner, and tossed the ball to second base to complete a double play.

Nelson Figueroa relieved Vazquez and continued to shut out Panama for the next 2 2/3 innings. Saul Rivera followed Figueroa on the mound in the eighth.

Puerto Rico's infield defense was solid while the Panamanian team's was not. Puerto Rico's infield executed two important inning-ending double plays and did not commit any errors. Panama's infield committed two costly errors in the fifth inning when reliever Eliezer Navarro took over the game from starter Bruce Chen.

Panamanian shortstop Ruben Tejada committed a throwing error that allowed Michael Aviles to get to first base and Panamanian first baseman Julio Zuleta soon thereafter missed a pickoff throw from Navarro. Zuleta's misplay allowed Aviles to get to third base. Ramon Vazquez hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Aviles and give Puerto Rico its third run.

In addition to hitting a home run, Delgado hit a single and a double to go 3-for-4 in the game.

For Panama, leadoff hitter Durango reached base in his first three at-bats thanks to a single and two walks.

Puerto Rico will face the Netherlands on Monday at 6:30 p.m. ET and Panama will face the Dominican Republic on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Both games will be at Hiram Bitorn Stadium in San Juan.

Will Gonzalez is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

The Dutch won

Wow! I can't believe that!

USA only won by one

Saturday, March 07, 2009 11:15:00 PM
Venezuela overpowers Italy
Guillen, Mora each homer to set up showdown with US

By Dave Singh / Special to MLB.com

• Box score >
  
• Guillen's solo shot: Watch
  
• Abreu's two-run single: Watch
  
• Mora mashes a homer: Watch
  

TORONTO -- Venezuela won its opening game of the 2009 World Baseball Classic on Saturday at Rogers Centre, cruising to a 7-0 win over Italy in the second game of Pool C.

The game remained scoreless until the fifth inning, when Team Venezuela erupted for four runs off a pair of Italian relievers. Venezuelan shortstop Carlos Guillen lifted a 1-0 pitch from Jason Grilli over the left-center-field wall for a home run to begin the frame and set the tone for what was to follow.

After allowing a double and a walk, Grilli was replaced on the mound by Lenny DiNardo. The left-hander did not fare much better, as he proceeded to load the bases and then walk Melvin Mora, which forced a run to score. Bobby Abreu immediately followed by stroking an RBI single to right field that plated two more runs and pushed Venezuela's lead to 4-0.

Mora added to the tally in the seventh inning with a solo home run into the second deck in left field.

The runs were more than the Venezuelan pitchers would need as they stifled the Italian hitters throughout the game. Starter Carlos Silva did not allow a run in his four innings, while Felix Hernandez surrendered just one hit and one walk in his four innings of work.

Italian starting pitcher Mark DiFelice pitched well in the no-decision, allowing just three hits and no runs over his four innings.

Venezuela will now take on the U.S. on Sunday night, while Italy will play Canada in Monday's game.

Dave Singh is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

USA should be able to beat Venezuela

catbox_9 wrote:

USA should be able to beat Venezuela

Yep, the minor league portion of our Tigers beat them in the exhibition game... I would think the USA team should be able to, also.

Sunday, March 08, 2009 3:52:00 AM
Trio audition with Classic efforts
Ponson, Pedro, Pudge turn in outstanding performances

By John Schlegel / MLB.com

Each wore the uniform of his home country with pride, and each showed there's still a lot of baseball left inside.

For Pudge Rodriguez of Puerto Rico, Pedro Martinez of the Dominican Republic and Sidney Ponson of The Netherlands, their country's uniform is the only one they have at the moment. All three remain unsigned free agents.

So, for them, playing in the Classic on Saturday meant a chance not only to perform for national pride but to prove to Major League clubs that they can still contribute at a high level.

Mission accomplished, for all three.

In leading host Puerto Rico to a 7-0 win over Panama on Saturday, Pudge made it clear his focus was on winning a Classic game for his country, not showing off for scouts -- even if he did a pretty good job of it.

"I was very concentrated on the game," said Rodriguez, a 37-year-old catcher who was with the Tigers and the Yankees last season but still hasn't found a home. "The main thing is that we won for the team. I did my job, and the important thing is that we one and we won for the team."

Certainly, a 4-for-4 performance with two home runs and a double while playing all nine innings at catcher on March 7 doesn't look too shabby for anyone looking for a backstop of Rodriguez's caliber. The Mets and Marlins are the two teams mentioned most in dialogue with the 13-time Gold Glove winner, but that talk has not led to a deal yet.

Rodriguez has been around long enough to know a little worldwide publicity and a couple of curtain calls never hurt any free agent looking for a job.

"This will help me for the team, the general managers, and the teams to see me playing live, playing in a game," he said. "It's on TV, and being national and all over the world, they'll see."

Martinez, also 37 and looking for a club, showed his stuff very well on the Classic stage, too. He pitched three shutout innings with four strikeouts and just one hit allowed, though the Dominican offense couldn't recover in a 3-2 upset loss to The Netherlands.

Martinez, a free agent since parting ways with the Mets, has been subject of much speculation in recent weeks as he prepared to compete with Team Dominicana. A recent report from the Dominican Republic suggested the Dodgers, Pirates and Indians may be interested in Martinez, but no further information has circulated on those or any other teams.

But Saturday's outing wouldn't seem to have hurt his chances one bit.

"Ever since I started, I knew what my mission was," he said. "I feel very happy having such great results individually, but really even though they were not real games, I took them very seriously, and I dedicated a lot of effort and a lot of concentration to what I was doing."

Ponson, meanwhile, was on the other end of the upset of the day, taking the ball from the start and going four strong innings, allowing two runs to the Dominicans -- which wasn't enough to overtake the three-run cushion The Netherlands gained in the first inning.

While Martinez and Rodriguez are hoping to put the finishing touches on Hall of Fame careers, there isn't a lot of reported interest in Ponson, who at 32 is coming off an 8-5 season in 24 starts with the Rangers and Yankees.

Still, when in Twins camp earlier this week, Ponson confidently told the St. Paul Pioneer-Press, "I expect my agent will get a couple of calls after Saturday."

Apparently, all you really have to do is believe -- it worked on his teammates Saturday.

"Like I told these guys before this thing started, don't believe because they're an All-Star team (that) they are an All-Star team. You have to believe in yourself, go out there and throw strikes and good things will happen," Ponson said.

Or, amazing things.

That's the thing about putting on your country's uniform, even if it's the only one you've got.

"For me what I felt was a lot of happiness," Rodriguez said. "What can I tell you? When you play in an event like this, a Classic representing your country or your island, you have your Puerto Rico jersey on, and you try to do 100 percent in the playing field."

John Schlegel is a national reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Sunday, March 08, 2009 8:42:00 AM
A Classic beginning with more to come

By John Schlegel / MLB.com

So this is what October looks like in March.

Huge upsets. Gut-wrenching finishes. Crowds on their feet. Pitchers hugging catchers. Dancing on the field.

Classic Saturday -- a day in which 12 national teams in three international cities played six electric games -- lived up to its billing and then some, with the second edition of the World Baseball Classic putting on a show of surprising intensity and sharp play for what's traditionally been an early date for such things in baseball.

In short, it had it all.

There was a breakthrough: Team China started everybody off with a first -- its first win in Classic play after a lopsidedly losing debut in 2006.

There was an absolute stunner: The Netherlands took a lead and held on to beat the Dominican Republic, 3-2, which might not qualify as the Miracle Mets but certainly ranks as one of the biggest upsets ever seen in international play.

There was a rivalry renewed: The U.S. and Canada thrilled a packed house at Toronto's Rogers Centre with a nail-biting battle that ended with Team USA holding on for a victory that avenged a crucial 2006 loss.

That's only the half of it, and this is only the beginning.

A Classic Sunday is next, followed by day after day of international intrigue leading toward the finals at Dodger Stadium on March 23. And all of it is on MLB.TV, every one of the 39 games, including today's.

All four pools will be in play for the first time today, with five games being played at the venues in Japan, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The Dominican team, one of the tournament favorites, actually will be facing elimination in its meeting with Panama, the U.S. will have another tough foe in Venezuela, and play will open in Mexico City with a doubleheader.

And it'll feel a little bit like October all day.

All you needed to see to know that October feeling isn't a March mirage was J.J. Putz hugging the stuffing out of Brian McCann after closing out the Canadians, 6-5, finally bringing a hush to a Rogers Centre crowd that had been on its feet for much of the previous three innings.

"It was unbelievable," said the U.S. reliever, previously with the Mariners and now with the Mets. "It was definitely the loudest crowd I've ever been a part of. I haven't pitched in the playoffs so this is what I would think playoff baseball would seem like. It was awesome out there."

All you needed in order to feel some October in the March air was to witness the wild celebration the Netherlands put on after their shocker over the D.R., and how there was no need to apologize for it.

"Did you ever see Cuba win a game and see how they celebrate? It's passion," starting pitcher Sidney Ponson said. "It's like everybody loves this game. So that's why we go there. That's the way we play games. ... We upset one of the best teams in the WBC. Everybody knows it. I think everybody in here will tell you the same thing. It was a big thing today, especially for the Netherlands team."

As one big day gives way to another in a full-throttle World Baseball Classic, here's a quick dip into the pools:

POOL A: TOKYO
Korea eliminated China with a 14-0 rout to set up a Monday meeting with Japan, which clinched a spot in the second round in San Diego.

POOL B: MEXICO CITY
The Cubans are a perennial international powerhouse, and at 2 p.m. ET they meet the South Africans, relatively new to the scene. Team Mexico has a similar situation facing Australia in the 9 p.m. ET nightcap, plus a home-field advantage. Perhaps both teams have reminded themselves of a little fact going in -- or should: Netherlands 3, Dominican Republic 2.

POOL C: TORONTO
The U.S. team won't have much time to bask in their win over Canada, because Venezuela comes in having cruised to a 7-0 victory over Italy and with an All-Star cast that includes Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez. It'll be on Roy Oswalt to pitch the U.S. to victory, which would clinch their place in the second round in Miami. "In my head, I've pitched against some of these guys before," Oswalt said, "so I know kind of a way to get some of those guys out." Meanwhile, Canada gets a day to get ready to play Italy on Monday.

POOL D: SAN JUAN
Strange as it may sound, Felipe Alou's Dominican team is in the same situation Chinese Taipei was in just 24 hours earlier, and now Chinese Taipei is out of the tournament. But going into the D.R.-Panama matchup at 4:30 p.m. ET, one of the world's most powerful, talented teams is reduced to a must-win situation very quickly.

"We have to go back [today] and win, because if we don't win, we won't be able to play," Alou said after Saturday's stunner. "China beat Taiwan last night. That is the situation. They know it. They knew we had to win today, and if we lost today we are against the wall. The team knows that."

What the D.R. didn't know was what hit them Saturday, but then the rest of the world didn't either.

Who knew a 6-foot-5 right-hander named Leon Boyd could enter in the ninth inning, spin some helicopter sliders and put forth perhaps the most memorable save in World Baseball Classic's short history?

The closer who made history, as it turns out, doesn't have much of one himself, as the postgame interview session showed.

Question: "Before today, what was the biggest game you ever closed out?"

Boyd: "Actually, this is the first time I ever closed."

And so Boyd and his 1.000 career save percentage will wait out a day before taking on another Goliath in host Puerto Rico on Monday.

But the Classic won't wait another day, which means another Classic experience is in store.

John Schlegel is a national reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Sunday, March 08, 2009 9:38:00 AM
Korea rolls, earns rematch with Japan

By Wayne Graczyk / MLB.com

Box score >
Bum Ho Lee's homer: Watch

TOKYO -- Team Korea bounced back from a 14-2 loss to Japan with a convincing 14-0 shutout over China on Sunday in Pool A of the World Baseball Classic before 12,571 fans at Tokyo Dome.

Korea will now face Japan again on Monday night to determine the winner of Pool A. China has been eliminated from the tournament.

The game was called after the top of seventh inning because of the 10-run mercy rule.

Korea scored twice in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single by Hyun Soo Kim and an infield out, and added two more in the bottom of the fourth on Bum Ho Lee's home run into the left-field bleachers.

The game got out of hand for China in the bottom of the fifth, as Korea sent 10 men to the plate and scored five times on three hits, two walks, a hit batsman and two Chinese errors. Korea set up the "mercy rule" victory with five more scores in the bottom of the sixth.

China managed only two hits, a single by shortstop Ray Chang in the first inning and a double by right fielder Fei Feng in the fourth.

Korean starter Suk Min Yoon was brilliant, allowing only the two hits and no runs over six innings. Yoon threw exactly 70 pitches, the maximum allowed by Classic rules.

"When my team scored in the first inning, that relieved any pressure," Yoon said. "I was able to relax and pitch my game."

Winning manager In Sik Kim summarized how his team was able to bounce back after Saturday night's early termination loss to Japan.

"Baseball is a game of fluctuation," Kim said. "We lost in a shortened game yesterday, but won the same way today. There was also the difference in the level of players between the Japanese and Chinese teams.

"Another key was the ability to put the game against Japan behind us and concentrate on coming back for a win tonight."

China manager Terry Collins, disappointed by his team's lackluster showing after Saturday's 4-1 win over Chinese Taipei, gave credit to the Korean team and expressed pride in his club and players.

"We did not play well tonight," said Collins. "But [playing in the World Baseball Classic] was a great experience for us. When you get beat 14-0, everything is bad, but I hope our players will leave here with the memory -- not of this game, but of our previous two games in which we played very well."

In addition to the win over Chinese Taipei, China surrendered just five hits in a 4-0 loss to Japan.

Collins said it was an honor to play against such great teams and expressed his wishes for good luck to the two advancing teams.

Wayne Graczyk is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Sunday, March 08, 2009 7:24:00 PM
Cuba puts power on display in victory
Vera receives support in form of tourney-record six homers in superb start

By Christopher Ramirez / MLB.com

Box score>

MEXICO CITY -- Cuba manager Higinio Velez shared on Saturday that he felt the continual training and familiarity of his team players with one another gave Cuba a distinct advantage in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

After watching Cuba cruise to an 8-1 victory over South Africa on Sunday, one would be hard-pressed to disagree with Velez.

Cuba's bats and arms were dominant against South Africa, pleasing the pockets of Cuban fans among the 11,280 in attendance at Foro Sol Stadium for the opening game of the Classic's Pool B.

Starter Norge Luis Vera had little difficulty against South Africa's lineup. Vera carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning and pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out six.

Vera also received plenty of support from his teammates, who combined to hit six home runs on the day. That set a new Classic team record for home runs in a game, breaking the previous total of four, registered by the Dominican Republic on March 7, 2006, against Venezuela.

Dealing out much of the damage was left fielder Frederich Cepeda, who picked up right where he left off in 2006 as one the Classic's top hitters by homering twice in his first two at-bats.

Cepeda drove the initial pitch he saw in the bottom of first inning to left field. Two innings later, he went opposite field, hitting a line drive that soared only a few feet over the right-field fence.

"Psychologically, it's very important, especially with the outcome we had," said Cepeda of his team's power at the plate. "To be able to stay on top, start on top, because it shows that the Cuban team is doing excellent."

Cuba tallied five runs in the first three innings, knocking out South Africa starter Barry Armitage in the process. Armitage allowed eight hits and five earned runs in three innings of work. He may have, however, found a weakness in Team Cuba.

Before even throwing a pitch to Michel Enríquez in the bottom of the first inning, Armitage tried twice to pick off Hector Olivera. He got him on a third attempt to record South Africa's first out of the game.

Later, in the bottom of the second, Armitage took advantage of Cuba's aggressiveness on the bases again, picking off Eduardo Paret for the inning's third out.

"Sometimes, you take off from first base and run back, and we did speak about this with the players," Velez said. "We didn't have to take a base, and that's what happened."

Cuba will have a day off Monday, then face the winner of Sunday evening's game between Australia and Mexico on Tuesday night.

Christopher Ramirez is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Sunday, March 08, 2009 7:30:00 PM
Olivo helps keep Dominicans alive
Catcher hits two homers as D.R. staves off Classic elimination

By Will Gonzalez / Special to MLB.com

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SAN JUAN, P.R. -- The Dominican Republic beat Panama, 9-0, on Sunday to stay alive in Pool D play of the World Baseball Classic.

The Dominicans displayed a combination of power and timely hitting that was lacking Saturday night against the Netherlands when they scored only two runs.

Miguel Olivo hit two home runs, a two-run shot and a three-run blast, and Nelson Cruz hit a solo home run to spearhead the Dominican attack.

With its second loss in two days, Panama is eliminated from the Classic.

The Dominicans capitalized on two errors and the decision of Panama manager Hector Lopez to intentionally walk Jose Reyes with men on second and third to load the bases with one out in the third inning. Lopez made Panamanian starter Ramiro Mendoza face Willy Taveras in that situation.

Mendoza succeeded in getting Taveras to hit a grounder, but Panama third baseman Javier Castillo committed an error in attempting to catch the ball and Jose Guillen, who was the runner on third, scored. It was the second error of the inning by Panama's infield. Shortstop Ruben Tejada let Guillen, the first batter in the inning, get on base with a throwing error.

The second Dominican run was scored with the help of a fielder's choice off the bat of Fernando Tatis. Mendoza broke Tatis' bat and caught the softly hit ball on the mound. Mendoza tried to catch Cruz, who was running home from third base, but his throw to the plate was not in time.

David Ortiz batted in the third run with a single to right field. Jose Reyes scored, but Taveras was nailed at the plate on a throw by right fielder Concepcion Rodriguez to catcher Carlos Ruiz.

The Dominican squad unleashed its power stroke in the fourth inning. Robinson Cano led off the inning with a single, and two outs later, Olivo hit a long home run into the left-field bleachers to give the Dominicans a 5-0 lead. Cruz made the score 6-0 with his solo home run in the sixth inning.

Olivo hit his second homer in the eighth inning with two men aboard to make the score 9-0. Olivo, the Domincan catcher, ended the evening 2-for-3 with five RBIs.

Johnny Cueto, the Dominican starter, kept Panama scoreless during his 4 2/3 innings. He scattered three hits, a walk, and two hit batsmen.

Panama mounted a threat against him in the bottom of the first inning. It had men on first and second with two outs, but Cueto struck out Julio Zuleta, the fifth hitter in Panama's lineup.

Ramiro Mendoza was tagged with the loss, but he was charged only with two earned runs in his four innings. Mendoza allowed four hits and an intentional walk.

The Dominicans next play on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ET against the loser of Monday night's Puerto Rico-Netherlands game.

Will Gonzalez is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Venezuela had no pitchers. Gala lost his steam by the end of the 4th. As with last season, without pitching, we're lost! And so it happened to Venezuela.
Magglio has not been doing too well.
Carlos hit 2 HR, one against USA and one against Italy!
Miggy is tanking already. Either that or it'll be like last year again and his bat won't warm up until May.

Australia beat Mexico in Mexico City

I guess that's what happen when you have not one, but two Hairstons on the team.

Monday, March 09, 2009 2:45:00 AM
Aussies shock Mexico with 10-run rout
Team from Down Under breaks Classic record with 22 hits

By Christopher Ramirez / Special to MLB.com

Box score >

MEXICO CITY -- Sitting just beyond the fence in right-center field at Foro Sol Stadium are sections of a concert stage. Built in 1993, the venue was originally intended solely for music events. It was modified for baseball in 2000, but there was Australia on Sunday night, playing the Classic hits.

Australia rolled to a 17-7 win in eight innings against host Mexico in its opening game of the 2009 World Baseball Classic and in the process set a new tournament record for hits in a game with 22. The previous mark of 18 was reached by the United States in the 2006 event.

"We weren't looking to be perfect," Australia manger Jon Deeble said. "We were looking to have quality swings. We didn't go out there to hit home runs. That wasn't our game plan."

Australia was, however, quality from the start.

In the top of the first inning, leadoff hitter Trent Oeltjen smacked a hit up the center barely past Mexico starter Oliver Perez, which set the stage for Luke Hughes to send a 2-0 pitch into left field for a home run and a two-run Australia advantage.

Chris Snelling made it back-to-back home runs in the next at-bat, moving the many Mexico fans in attendance from disbelief to shock.

But Australia's lead didn't last long. Mexico tallied five run in the bottom of the first, four of which came off the bat of Jorge Vazquez. Vazquez sent a grand slam more than a dozen rows into the left-field stands.

With all the offensive production, it wasn't surprising that neither starting pitcher lasted deep into the game.

Australia's Craig Anderson was the first to be replaced, getting the hook two batters into the second, allowing six runs, five earned, on six hits.

Perez didn't last much longer, as he was chased in the top of the third without recording an out after giving up seven hits and four runs while striking out five.

Though Australia didn't collect a hit in the the third or fourth innings, it remained resilient. Three runs on five hits in the fifth knotted the score at 7. Then, a frame later, the Aussies took lead, scoring three runs despite playing with two outs.

Catcher Andrew Graham's single into center field allowed Brett Roneberg to score from second standing up, and pitcher-hitter Daniel Beresford's single to left field drove in Brett Harmen.

The Australia hit parade continued for the duration of the game, and it took its toll on the Mexico bullpen. It took four Mexican pitchers to get through the sixth inning alone.

Australia continued to pile on in the seventh, pushing the score to 14-7. Snelling belted his second home run, and in perhaps summing up Mexico's struggles, Andrew Graham hit a grounder toward second that rolled underneath the glove of Edgar Gonzalez all the way to the outfield wall.

Christopher Ramirez is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.