WBC GDT: USA vs. Puerto Rico 3/14/09 @ 8:00 pm ET

Friday, March 13, 2009 6:33:00 PM
Puerto Rico poised for USA showdown
Vazquez opposes Peavy to open powerhouse series

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

MIAMI -- If he were in Braves camp right now, Javier Vazquez would be gradually building up his pitch count to somewhere in the neighborhood of 85.

On Saturday night the right-hander will be in a much more high-profile situation, as he looks to help advance his country in the World Baseball Classic.

The stakes continue to rise in the Classic, as second-round games are set to begin at Dolphin Stadium, where Vazquez will take the mound for Puerto Rico in a much-anticipated showdown with Team USA.

Vazquez matches up against Jake Peavy of the U.S. in the 8 p.m. ET contest.

Both starters will be on a maximum pitch count of 85. The difference pitching in the Classic and pitching in Spring Training is that these 85 pitches matter.

Vazquez is dealing with the challenges of getting ready for the season while representing his country on an international stage.

This will be his second appearance in the Classic. In Round 1, in Puerto Rico, he threw 4 1/3 innings of shutout ball in a win over Panama.

"I never take any hitter lightly," Vazquez said on Friday after Puerto Rico's workout. "I faced Panama in the first round, and I have respect for all the hitters."

Team USA vs. Puerto Rico will match two star-studded rosters.

"Obviously, the U.S. has a much different lineup," he said. "Most of them have been All-Stars for most of their careers. For me, even though it is Spring Training for us, when you're on the mound, you want to go out there and do a good job."

Saturday will mark the first time Puerto Rico is playing a Classic game outside Puerto Rico. The team did not advance in 2006.

Ivan Rodriguez was named the Most Valuable Player of Pool D after going 6-for-11 (.545) with two homers, a double, a stolen base and a team-high five RBIs.

Winning all three of its Pool D games, Puerto Rico outscored its opponents, 15-1. On Wednesday it blanked The Netherlands, 5-0. Puerto Rico pounded out 10 hits in the win and had RBIs from Carlos Beltran, Alex Cora, Alex Rios, Geovany Soto and Rodriguez.

"Right now everybody's focus is on winning the ballgame," Rodriguez said. "Our team is ready to play, and to win. This year it's very important to us."

Puerto Rico features former Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams, who last played in the big leagues in 2006.

Williams understands the importance of the matchup and what the game means to both countries.

"I think it is a great opportunity. I think it presents a great challenge for both teams," Williams said. "I think [Saturday] is going to be a great game, regardless of whatever the outcome is.

"We know they have a lot of great players over there on Team USA, and they're motivated. But so are we here. We have a lot of guys who have Major League experience, and we have a lot of young players who are eager to show what they can do. I think it's going to be a great matchup."

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

Go USA!

USA! USA! USA!

United States
Victorino, CF
Jeter, SS
Jones, C, DH
Youkilis, 1B
Wright, 3B
Dunn, RF
Braun, LF
McCann, C
DeRosa, 2B
Peavy, P

Puerto Rico
Feliciano, J, LF
Vazquez, R, 3B
Beltran, CF
Delgado, 1B
Rios, RF
Rodriguez, I, C
Soto, DH
Lopez, F, 2B
Aviles, M, SS
Vazquez, J, P

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Shane Victorino grounds out to first baseman Carlos Delgado.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Derek Jeter grounds out, second baseman Felipe Lopez to first baseman Carlos Delgado.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Chipper Jones flies out to center fielder Carlos Beltran.

Inning 1
Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Jesus Feliciano singles on a line drive to center fielder Shane Victorino.

B:0 S:0 O:1 - Ramon Vazquez grounds into a force out,
second baseman Mark DeRosa to shortstop Derek Jeter. Jesus Feliciano
out at 2nd. Ramon Vazquez to 1st.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Carlos Beltran singles on a ground ball to center fielder Shane Victorino. Ramon Vazquez to 3rd.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Carlos Delgado singles on a ground ball to right fielder Adam Dunn. Ramon Vazquez scores. Carlos Beltran to 3rd.

PR 1 - USA 0

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Alex Rios out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Ryan Braun. Carlos Beltran scores.

PR 2 - USA 0

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Ivan Rodriguez grounds into a force out, shortstop Derek Jeter to second baseman Mark DeRosa. Carlos Delgado out at 2nd.

PR 2 - USA 0 end of 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Kevin Youkilis grounds out, second baseman Felipe Lopez to first baseman Carlos Delgado.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
David Wright grounds out, second baseman Felipe Lopez to first baseman Carlos Delgado.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Adam Dunn grounds out softly, pitcher Javier Vazquez to first baseman Carlos Delgado.

PR 2 - USA 0

Inning 2
Bottom Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Geovany Soto walks.

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Felipe Lopez homers (1) on a fly ball to right center field. Geovany Soto scores.

PR 4 - USA 0

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

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Mike Aviles pops out to first baseman Kevin Youkilis in foul territory.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Jesus Feliciano walks.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Ramon Vazquez doubles (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Adam Dunn. Jesus Feliciano to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Carlos Beltran singles on a ground ball to second baseman Mark DeRosa. Jesus Feliciano scores. Ramon Vazquez to 3rd.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
With Carlos Delgado batting, Carlos Beltran steals (1) 2nd base.

B:1 S:1 O:2 - Carlos Delgado grounds out, shortstop
Derek Jeter to first baseman Kevin Youkilis. Ramon Vazquez scores.
Carlos Beltran to 3rd.

PR 6 - USA 0

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Alex Rios strikes out swinging.

PR 6 - USA 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Ryan Braun lines out to first baseman Carlos Delgado.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Brian McCann singles on a line drive to right fielder Alex Rios.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Mark DeRosa strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Shane Victorino pops out to third baseman Ramon Vazquez.


PR 6 - USA 0

Inning 3
Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Joel Hanrahan replaces Jake Peavy.

I wish I could watch this game.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ivan Rodriguez singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Shane Victorino.

B:0 S:2 O:2 - Geovany Soto grounds into double play,
shortstop Derek Jeter to second baseman Mark DeRosa to first baseman
Kevin Youkilis. Ivan Rodriguez out at 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Felipe Lopez strikes out swinging


PR 6 - USA 0