Team USA began their experience in the Pan Am games with a definitive 20-2 win over the Dominican Republic this afternoon. The US got onto the scoreboard with a solo homer by lead-off batter CF Jordan Danks (White Sox) in the top of the 1st, and another run quickly followed. Team USA made it 4-0 with 2 runs in the 4th, then 8-0 with 4 runs in the 5th. C Tuffy Gosewisch (Phillies) added a 2-run homer in the top of the 7th. The Dominican team scored their only two runs in the bottom of the 7th, both unearned
Then Team USA exploded in the top of the 8th, scoring a total of 10 runs. RF Brett Carroll (Red Sox) hit a 2-run homer, and PH/1B Jim Gallagher (White Sox) hit a grand slam. The game was ended after the 8th inning, due to international rules — the US was ahead by more than 10 runs.
Pirates’ SS Jordy Mercer was 1-for-4 with a double, and he was hit by pitches from two different Dominican pitchers. He scored all three of those times on base.
Andy Van Hekken (Astros) earned the win for the US with 7 innings of work. He gave up the two unearned runs on 4 hits and 2 walks, and struck out 3 batters. Randy Williams (Red Sox) pitched the bottom of the 8th, allowing one hit.
Team USA next plays Panama on Friday morning.
