Team USA has played four practice games in North Carolina prior to traveling to Puerto Rico.� On Sunday, Team USA beat Team Canada 3-1 in a 6-inning contest.� C Erik Kratz’s 3-run home run in the 2nd inning was all Team USA needed.� Kratz went 1-for-2, and SS Chase d’Arnaud walked and struck out in his two plate appearances.� DH Brad Eldred was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.� Todd Redmond made the start for the Americans and earned the win, throwing 3 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 4 batters.� For Canada, RF Jamie Romak singled and was hit on the knee with a pitch, forcing him to leave the game.� Canada’s only run came in the top of the 6th, off reliever Justin De Fratus (Phillies), who allowed 2 hits and a walk.
In a second game on Sunday, Team USA beat Puerto Rico by a score of 6-0.� Five USA pitchers combined to hold Puerto Rico to 2 hits and one walk, in 7 scoreless innings.� Brad Eldred played first base in that game and scored twice after he was walked and hit by a pitch.� Chase d’Arnaud did not start by came in to play second base and had a hit in his only plate appearance.� Team USA’s big inning was the 5th, when RF Jamie Hoffman (Dodgers) tripled with the bases loaded.� DH Eric Hosmer (Royals) also homered in the game.
On Tuesday, Team USA and Team Canada played to a 5-5 tie in 7 innings.� Canada scored 4 runs in the 5th inning and another run in the top of the 7th.� The Americans caught up in the bottom of the 7th with 5 runs.� Eldred, Kratz, and d’Arnaud were all hitless in that game.� RF Brett Jackson went 3-for-3 for Team USA.� RF Jamie Romak had one hit for Canada.
In a second game on Tuesday, Team USA walloped Team Canada 11-0.� Both Eldred and Hosmer homered in that game.� Both had 2 hits, with Eldred collecting 2 RBI and Hosmer picking up 3.� D’Arnaud walked and scored in two plate appearances.� Romak went 0-for-2, as Canada was limited to just 5 hits.� Dave Davidson retired all three batters he faced for Team Canada, and Boleska gave up one run on one hit (probably one of the home runs).
