Netherlands 7, USA 5
Two big inningws gave the Netherlands a 7-run boost and a lead that they would not give up as Team USA lost their second game of the World Cup/Pan Am tournament on Friday. US starter Matt Shoemaker pitched just 3 innings and was responsible for all 7 runs.
A walk, a single, and a 3-run homer provided the Netherlands with a 3-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning. Shoemaker hit a batter, but then retired the next three in order in the 2nd. But the Dutch struck again in the 3rd. Two walks and a single loaded the bases with one out. A triple cleared the bases, and a throwing error by the SS Andrew Garcia (White Sox) let the batter come around to score also, and the Netherlands had 7 runs.
Team USA took advantage of a throwing error by the Netherlands’ shortstop to score their first run in the 2nd inning. LF Brett Carroll (Red Sox) walked, then 3B Tommy Mendonca (Rangers) reached on a fielder’s choice. The error put Mendonca on second base, and he scored on C Tuffy Gosewisch’s (Phillies) RBI single up the middle. CF AJ Pollock (Diamondbacks) added a solo homer in the 4th inning, to bring the score to 7-2.
Back-to-back singles by Garcia and RF Brett Jackson (Cubs) led off the bottom of the 7th for the US. A wild pitch put both runners into scoring position. They both scored on an RBI single into right field by 2B Joe Thurston. Team USA rallied in their last chance in the bottom of the 9th. With one out, Garc (Marlins) walked and then stole second base. Jackson struck out for the second out of the inning. Pollock came through with a single into left-center, and Garcia raced around to score., bringing the score to 7-5. Pollock stole second, then Thurston beat out an infield single, moving Pollock to third. With the tying runs on base, a ground out to first by DH Chad Tracy (Rangers) ended the game.
Jordy Mercer did not get into the game, nor did Travis d’Arnaud.
In other tournament games:
Canada 4, Chinese Taipei 0
Team Canada held Taipei to just 2 hits in this shutout on Thursday night. Former Pirate farmhand Jamie Romak contributed a solo home run to the Canadian effort.
Panama 12, Canada 3
On Friday night, the host team Panama (led by former Indy Indian Einar Diaz), overran Team Canada. Romak went o-for-4 with a walk. Panama scored 3 runs in both the 3rd and the 5th innings, and 4 more in the 6th, then added another 2 runs in the 8th.
Team USA plays Panama on Saturday evening.
