WBC GDT: Venezuela vs. USA 3/11/09 @ 6:30 PM

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 11:30:00 PM
USA, Venezuela to meet in 'C' finale
Last Classic game in Toronto will be a rematch from Sunday

By David Singh / Special to MLB.com

TORONTO -- Team Venezuela will meet the U.S. at Rogers Centre on Wednesday to determine the winner of Pool C at the 2009 World Baseball Classic. The tilt, which will be the final game played in the first round in Toronto, is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.

The game is also a rematch of Sunday's contest, a 15-6 victory by the Americans. In that game, Team USA scored 13 runs off the Venezuelan bullpen. Four of those runs were charged to reliever Victor Zambrano, who only completed one-plus inning.

Oddly enough, Venezuelan manager Luis Sojo has named Zambrano as the starter for Wednesday's finale.

"He's got experience in the big leagues," said Sojo. "This guy's got good pitches. He's got a sinker, slider and a changeup, but if you don't locate your pitches the way you want, you are going to have problems.

"And I think that was the key for the United States in the past game. So, I think it's going to be a big game for him, and we look forward to seeing that."

One thing to remember about the Wednesday finale is that both teams are already assured of a trip to Miami for the second round of the Classic. This means that there is not much pressure to secure a victory.

"Well, we want to win," said Ted Lilly, Team USA's starting pitcher for Wednesday. "Even though we don't have to win, we want to play well. It's not a must win, but we're going to go about it as we did the other games. And I'm sure once it gets going, it's going to be competitive. It will be fun."

U.S. manager Davey Johnson said that Lilly will start the game and right-hander Jeremy Guthrie is likely to follow. Because of two consecutive off-days, the skipper has the luxury of a fresh bullpen at his disposal.

STARTING LINEUPS:

Team Venezuela


Team USA

This should be another good game. I'll have to miss the 1st hour or so of it though. Why can't this start at 8:00?

Damn, I just noticed that it won't be on ESPN, but MLBN.

Can't wait! Winner moves on. Loser moves on

Inning 1
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Gregor Blanco lines out to shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Melvin Mora flies out to left fielder Ryan Braun.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Bobby Abreu strikes out swinging.

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Jimmy Rollins flies out to center fielder Gregor Blanco.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Dustin Pedroia lines out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Derek Jeter grounds out, third baseman Melvin Mora to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman David Wright to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen flies out to center fielder Shane Victorino.

B:1 S:2 O:3 - Marco Scutaro grounds into a force out,
shortstop Jimmy Rollins to second baseman Dustin Pedroia. Magglio
Ordonez out at 2nd.

Bottom Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Kevin Youkilis walks.

B:0 S:0 O:1 - David Wright grounds into a force out,
shortstop Cesar Izturis to second baseman Marco Scutaro. Kevin Youkilis
out at 2nd. David Wright to 1st.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Adam Dunn grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. David Wright to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Braun singles on a line drive to right fielder Bobby Abreu. David Wright to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Brian McCann flies out to left fielder Magglio Ordonez.

0-0

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Henry Blanco homers (1) on a fly ball to left field.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Cesar Izturis flies out to left fielder Ryan Braun.

1-0 VEN

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Gregor Blanco doubles (1) on a ground ball to right fielder Adam Dunn.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Melvin Mora called out on strikes.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Bobby Abreu grounds out, first baseman Kevin Youkilis to pitcher Ted Lilly.

1-0 VEN

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Shane Victorino pops out to shortstop Cesar Izturis.

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Jimmy Rollins grounds out, second baseman Marco Scutaro to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Dustin Pedroia pops out to catcher Henry Blanco in foul territory.

1-0 VEN

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: LaTroy Hawkins replaces Ted Lilly.

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, pitcher LaTroy Hawkins to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop Jimmy Rollins to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: John Grabow replaces LaTroy Hawkins.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen flies out to right fielder Adam Dunn.

1-0 VEN

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Derek Jeter singles on a ground ball to shortstop Cesar Izturis.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Kevin Youkilis pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
David Wright strikes out swinging.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Adam Dunn walks. Derek Jeter to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Ryan Braun doubles (1) on a ground ball to right fielder Bobby Abreu. Derek Jeter scores. Adam Dunn to 3rd.

game tied 1-1

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Jan Granado replaces Victor Zambrano.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Brian McCann grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Game tied 1-1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Chris Iannetta replaces catcher Brian McCann, batting 8th, playing catcher.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jeremy Guthrie replaces John Grabow.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Marco Scutaro flies out to right fielder Adam Dunn.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Henry Blanco doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Braun.

GO TEAM USA

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Cesar Izturis strikes out swinging.

They said it is good the dome roof is closed... 60 mph winds at the stadium!

dang, the pitcher thought he had the batter struck out on the previous pitch...

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Gregor Blanco triples (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Shane Victorino. Henry Blanco scores.

VEN 2-1

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

They said it is good the dome roof is closed... 60 mph winds at the stadium!

Like it would be open if the wind was calm


Has to be like 65 degrees to have it open

Not in March

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Melvin Mora walks.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Gerardo Parra replaces Bobby Abreu.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Gerardo Parra strikes out swinging, catcher Chris Iannetta to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.

VEN 2-1


Today is Abreu's birthday.