Team USA was all set to play their first game in the World Cup/Pan Am tournament on Sunday evening. However, rain in Panama City washed out the game. No date has been set yet for the make-up game, though Wednesday October 5th is a scheduled day off for the tournament. Former Pirate Todd Redmond was scheduled to be the starter for tonight’s game, and SS Jordy Mercer was also in the line-up.
In other Tournament Games:
Canada 9, Puerto Rico 1
Team Canada started their tournament play with 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning. With one out, a double, a walk to Jamie Romak, and another walk loaded the bases with Canadians. A single up the middle complicated by a fielding error in center field allowed the first two runs to score (including Romak), and an RBI ground out made it 3-0. A solo home run in the 4th inning gave Canada a 4-0 lead, and they added a 2-run homer in the 6th. Three more runs scored in the 7th inning, after Canada loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. Dustin Molleken pitched the 9th inning for Team Canada. He gave up a single to former Indy Indian DH Cesar Crespo, but erased him and ended the game with a double play. Another former Indy Indian, SS Luis Figueroa doubled for Puerto Rico in the 6th inning.
Cuba 14, Australia 0
The Cubans pounded the Aussies with 6 runs in the 4th, 4 runs in the 7th, and 2 runs in both the 1st and 5th innings. The Australians were held to just 3 hits, while their popular pitching ace Dushan Ruzic surrendered 8 runs (7 earned) on 7 hits in the first 4 innings. Former Pirate farmhand Paul Mildren pitched to 5 batters to begin the 6th inning. He loaded the bases with a walk and two hits. He was relieved by Todd Van Steensel, who was able to get the final out of the inning without a run scoring. The game was halted after 7 innings, due to International baseball rules — Cuba was leading by more than 10 runs.
