Tag: Brad Eldred

Team USA wrapped up the Pan American tournament with a rain-out this afternoon.� That means that the USA and Venezuela were declared tied for third place in the tournament.� Cuba and the Dominican Republic were scheduled to play tonight (Wednesday).� (UPDATE:� The Dominican Republic took the gold medal with a 5-2 win over Cuba.)� The third place finish qualifies the US for the 2011 Pan American Games, which will be played in Guadalajara, Mexico, and also for the 2011 Baseball World Cup.

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Four members of Team USA were named to the All-Tournament Team:� 1B Eric Hosmer, 3B Mike Moustakas, and LHP Mike Montgomery, all from the Royals' organization, and CF Mike Trout (Angels).

Hosmer led Team USA with a .389 average (14-for-36).� Trout led in homers with 3, and Moustakas led in RBI with 8.� Pirates' Chase d'Arnaud and Todd Frazier (Reds) each had 2 stolen bases, the most for the team.� Former Pirate Todd Redmond (Braves) pitched the most innings -- 12.2, and Justin De Fratus (Phillies) and Tim Collins (Royals) both appeared in 5 tournament games, leading the bullpen.� Redmond, Nick Hill (Mariners), and Montgomery each had 2 wins, and De Fratus and Anthony Carter (White Sox) each had 2 saves.� Chris Archer (Cubs) led with 15 strikeouts.

Chase d'Arnaud appeared in 8 of Team USA's games, and hit .321 (9-for-28).� Two of his hits were doubles and one was a triple, and he had 4 RBI.� Erik Kratz appeared in 5 games and hit .278 (5-for-18), including 2 doubles and 4 RBI.� Former Pirate Brad Eldred appeared in all 10 games as the DH.� He hit .250 (10-for-40) and tied with Reds' Todd Frazier to lead the team in strikeouts with 9.

Todd Redmond earned a 1.42 ERA in his 12.2 innings, giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 10 hits and 2 walks, with 10 strikeouts.� None of the hits he gave up were for extra bases.

Dominican Republic 7,� Team USA� 2

After dominating in the first two rounds of the Pan American Tournament, Team USA just couldn't get going tonight in their semi-final game against the Dominican Republic.� Team USA beat the Dominicans 8-3 in the first round on October 5th, out-hitting them 11-7.� But today the tables were turned and it was the Dominicans who out-hit the USA 14 - 6 and who were the dominant force.� RF Todd Frazier (Reds) had 2 of the USA's hits -- a single and a triple, and one of the RBI's.� 2B Cord Phelps (Cleveland Indians) had the other RBI and one hit.� CF Mike Trout (Angels), 1B Eric Hosmer, and SS Chase d'Arnaud had one hit each.

Danny Duffy (Royals) made the start for Team USA.� He worked around a single in the 1st inning, and around two singles in the 2nd.� Then with two outs in the top of the 3rd, Duffy gave up a double, then threw a wild pitch that put the runner on third base.� A passed ball by USA C Jordan Pacheco (Rockies) allowed that runner to score from third, and the Dominicans had a 1-0 lead.

The USA hitters got on base in the first two innings.� Pacheco walked in the bottom of the 1st, but was erased in a double play.� Phelps tripled with two outs in the 2nd, but he was left on third when a line out ended the inning.� Three USA batters went down swinging in the 3rd inning.� Finally in the 4th, Team USA tied the score at 1-1.� Hosmer hit another 2-out triple, but this time, Frazier was able to follow with a single into right field, and Hosmer scored.

Duffy retired the side in order in the 4th, but got into trouble in the 5th. A lead-off single began the inning, then that batter was forced out at second on a fielder's choice, leaving the next batter safe at first.� Two more singles followed, driving in a run.� Duffy was relieved by Andre Lamontagne (Brewers), who gave up a walk, then got a grounder to third, where 3B Mike Moustakas (Royals) started an around-the-horn double play to end the inning.

Team USA continued to struggle at the plate.� Chase d'Arnaud doubled down the left field line in the bottom of the 5th, but his teammates couldn't keep it going.� Former Pirate Juan Perez struck out all three USA batters in the 6th, after Lamontagne also retired the Dominicans in order in the top of the inning.� Lamontagne gave up four singles (single, ground out, single, pop out, single for 2 RBI, and another single) for two runs in the top of the 7th, increasing the Dominican lead to 4-1.� Tim Collins (Royals) relieved Lamontagne and ended the inning with a line out.

The second USA run came in the bottom of the 7th, and it came courtesy of yet another triple.� This time it was Frazier leading off with a triple, and he scored on Phelps ground out to second base.� LF Brian Barden (Marlins) and d'Arnaud both walked, but the next two batters struck out, ending the threat.

Team USA was still clinging to hope, as Collins put the Dominicans down in order in the top of the 8th.� Hosmer was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the inning, but he was left on base.� The Dominicans put the game out of reach in the top of the 9th.� Collins walked the first batter, got a ground out, then gave up an RBI double.� He struck out the next batter, then was relieved by Justin De Fratus (Phillies).� But De Fratus was greeted by Dominican 1B Willis Otanes' 2-run home run on a 1-0 pitch.� That gave the Dominicans a 7-2 lead.� Team USA went down in order in the bottom of the inning, and that was all for the Americans -- a disappointing end to a fine run in the tournament.

DH Brad Eldred went 0-for-4 in the game, and C Erik Kratz did not get into the game tonight.

Cuba defeated Venezuela in their semi-final game, so Cuba and the Dominican Republic will play the championship game on Wednesday evening.� Team USA and Venezuela will play at 2 pm for third place.

Team USA� 4,� Cuba� 1

Cubs' farmhand Chris Archer pitched an amazing 6 innings for Team USA as they continued their winning ways in the last pool game of the Pan American tournament with a win over Cuba.� Team USA will enter the semi-final round of the tournament with a perfect 9-0 record, while Cuba drops to 7-2.

Archer's 10 strikeouts kept the Cuban batters stymied for 6 innings.� They managed only 2 hits -- a double in the 2nd inning, and a single to lead off the top of the 4th.� Archer did not walk any batters, facing just 2 over the minimum.

Team USA had only one hit over the first two innings -- a single by DH Brad Eldred (Rockies) to lead off the 2nd inning.�� Eldred reached second base, but was left stranded.� The USA got onto the scoreboard in the 3rd inning.� With one out, SS Brian Barden (Marlins) beat out a grounder to short for an infield single.� CF Mike Trout (Angels) singled up the middle, pushing Barden to second base.� After a pop out, 3B Mike Moustakas (Royals) doubled down the left field line.� Barden scored easily from second base, and Trout raced around from first to score also, giving the USA a 2-0 lead.

The USA threatened again in the 4th, when 1B Eric Hosmer (Royals) led off with a single, but was thrown out at second when he tried to stretch it.� If Hosmer had held at first, he might have been able to score on LF Todd Frazier's (Reds) double.� Frazier was subsequently tagged out at third base when RF Jamie Hoffmann (Dodgers) grounded right to the third baseman.

An error by the Cubans led to two unearned runs for Team USA in the 6th.� Moustakas opened the inning with a walk, and Eldred singled, moving Moustakas to second base.� The Cubans brought in a new pitcher, but that didn't help.� Hosmer reached base on an error by the Cuban first baseman, as Moustakas scored on the error.� Eldred rounded third and headed for the plate, but by that time, the Cubans had the ball back under control, and Eldred was out at the plate.� Hosmer ended up on third base, and moments later, he scored on a wild pitch.� Frazier kept the inning going with a single.� C Erik Kratz reached base on a fielder's choice, though Frazier was out at second base.� Kratz was also forced out at second base on the next play, ending the inning.

Nick Hill (Mariners) relieved Archer to begin the 7th inning.� He gave up a pair of 2-out singles, but got a strikeout to end the 7th inning.� He also struck out the first two batters he faced in the 8th, but then gave up a run on a single and a triple.�� Anthony Carter (White Sox) took over for Hill, and got a fly out to end the 8th.� Carter worked around a double in the 9th inning to keep the Cubans from scoring again.

Pirates' farmhand Chase d'Arnaud did not get into this game.� Kratz went 0-for-3 at the plate, and Eldred was 2-for-4.

Team USA now continues on to the semi-finals as the #1 seed.� They will play the Dominican Republic on Tuesday at 7:30 pm.� Cuba and Venezuela are the other two teams to reach the semi-final round.� Cuba has a 5-1 record in round two, the Dominicans have a 4-2 record, while Venezuela is fourth with a 3-3 record.

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Also on Monday:

Canada 14,� Puerto Rico� 6 -- The Canadians had a hit-fest at the expense of Puerto Rico, posting 14 hits and two 5-run innings.� Former Pirate farmhand RF Jamie Romak went 2-for-3 with 5 RBI -- he doubled and hit a 3-run homer in the 8th.� Three other Canadians also homered:� CF Adam Stern (Brewers), C Chris Robinson (Cubs), and 1B Scott Thorman (Royals).� Robinson had 5 hits and 3 RBI in the game. � Former Pirate 3B Ramon Vasquez had 2 hits for Puerto Rico, and former Indy Indian SS Luis Figueroa had one hit.� Pirate farmhand Tom Boleska pitched 1.1 inning and gave up only one hit.

Team Canada is done for this tournament, but they have qualified to play in next year's Pan Am tournament and also in the World Baseball Cup.

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Also on Tuesday:� the opening of the Arizona Fall League and two of the Caribbean Winter Leagues -- the Mexican Pacific and the Venezuelan Leagues.

Team USA� 4,� Canada� 0

Team USA made quick work of Team Canada this afternoon in San Juan, Puerto Rico, extending their record to 8-0 in the Pan American Tournament.� Canada's record falls to 4-4 in the second round, and they will not be advancing to the final rounds.

Team USA scored their runs one at a time, beginning right away in the top of the 1st.� For the second day in a row, CF Mike Trout (Angels) started the game with a home run, this one a huge blast over the left field wall.� Two singles followed, but both runners were out on the basepaths:� C Jordan Pacheco (Rockies) tried to stretch his single into a double and was thrown out at second base.� 3B Mike Moustakas also singled, but when former Pirate DH Brad Eldred lined out to the third baseman, Moustakas was doubled off first base.�

In the 2nd inning, 2B Cord Phelps (Cleveland Indians) started a 2-out rally with his single into left field.� LF Brian Barden (Marlins)�drove in Phelps with a double into right field, and the USA was up, 2-0.

USA starter Mike Montgomery (Royals) pitched 5 innings, and he began his afternoon by retiring the first eight batters he faced.� He gave up a walk to SS Jonathan Malo and a single to 2B Pete Orr, but left them on base with an inning-ending strikeout.� Canada's biggest�threat of the game came�in the 4th inning, when former Pirate farmhand RF Jamie Romak led off with a single into left field.� DH Jimmy Van Ostrand tapped one back to the mound (it may have been a bunt), but Montgomery was quick enough to field the ball and whirl to throw to second base, forcing out Romak and leaving Van Ostrand at first.� After a strikeout, Montgomery�gave up a single to�3B Shawn Bowman, then loaded the bases with a walk to 1B Scott Thorman.� A strikeout�by C Cole Armstrong got Montgomery out of the jam, and Canada was still scoreless.

Montgomery retired the side in order again in the 5th, and he left the game having allowed 3 hits and 2 walks, with 8 strikeouts in his 5 scoreless innings.

Team USA added another run in the top of the 6th.� With one out, Mike Moustakas ripped a double down the right field line.� Moments later, 1B Eric Hosmer (Royals) drove Moustakas in with his own double into left field, picking up an RBI.� Hosmer collected another RBI in the top of the 9th, with a solo home run.

Bryan Henry (Diamondbacks) took the mound in the top of the 6th in relief of Montgomery.� Henry retired all 9 batters he faced in order -- two fly outs and a ground out in the 6th, three ground outs in the 7th, and three pop outs in the 8th.

Tim Collins (Royals) relieved Henry for the 9th inning.� He began by striking out Romak, then gave up a single to Van Ostrand and walked LF Adam Loewen.� With two runners on, Canada's final hopes were dashed when Collins got the next two batters to pop out, ending the game.�

Romak went 1-for-4 in the game.� Brad Eldred was hitless in 4 trips to the plate, and SS Chase d'Arnaud was hitless in his 3 at-bats.� Mike Moustakas led Team USA with 3 hits (he also singled in the 3rd but was left on base). Mike Trout had�2 hits (he singled in the 8th, but was out in a double play), and Eric Hosmer also had 2 hits and 2 RBI.

Team USA's final second round game will be on Monday, as they face Cuba.�

Team USA is the only undefeated team in the tournament, since Cuba lost to the Dominican Republic (9-6) on Saturday night.� Puerto Rico beat Nicaragua 5-1 on Saturday, and former Pirate Ramon Vasquez had both a single and a double in that game.�

Team USA� 6,� Venezuela� 3

Team USA had to wait out another rain delay, then play another extra-inning game, to earn the win over Venezuela this afternoon.� The victory gives USA a 7-0 record in the Pan-American tournament.

CF Mike Trout (Angels) got the game started with a bang -- a solo home run over the center field wall for a 1-0 lead.� After an out, the next three batters walked -- 3B Mike Moustakas (Royals), DH Brad Eldred (Rockies) on 4 pitches, and 1B Eric Hosmer (Royals) on 4 pitches.� But the USA could not capitalize on the gifts, and the next two batters struck out to end the inning.

Venezuela tied the score in the bottom of the 2nd, on a double and a single off USA starter Everett Teaford (Royals).� They took a 2-1 lead in the 3rd.� Teaford gave up a single and a walk, and a sacrifice bunt moved�both runners into scoring position.� Another walk loaded the bases with one out.� The next batter scorched a line drive into right field, and it might have cleared the bases -- but RF Todd Frazier (Reds) made a spectacular full-layout diving catch for the out.� The runner on third was able to tag up and score, but it was one run and not three runs.�

Team USA came right back to tie the score at 2-2 in the top of the 4th.� Frazier was hit by a pitch, then scored on 2B Cord Phelps' (Cleveland Indians) triple.� SS Chase d'Arnaud walked and stole second base after the triple, but both he and Phelps were left on base.�

After that, there were a lot of donuts.� Teaford pitched 4 innings (and eventually got a no-decision), allowing those 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks, with 3 strikeouts.� Andre Lamontagne (Brewers) pitched 3 shutout innings, allowing just 2 hits with 4 strikeouts.� Anthony Carter (White Sox) pitched a 1-2-3 inning,� then Bruce Billings (Rockies) added another 2 scoreless innings, with a double and 4 strikeouts.� Nick Hill (Mariners) came on to pitch the bottom of the 11th, and he also retired the side in order.

The USA bats were not having any better luck.� With two outs in the 6th, both Brian Barden (Marlins) and Chase d'Arnaud singled, but the Venezuelans brought in a new pitcher, who got a strikeout to end the threat.� Brad Eldred walked for the third time in the 7th (he had walked and stole second base in the 3rd), and Barden singled again in the 8th, but both were left stranded.� As the game went into extras, both teams went down in order in the 10th.� Phelps led off the top of the 11th with a single, and advanced to second base on an error by the right fielder.� Barden bunted Phelps to third base, but he was left standing there when d'Arnaud popped out to short and Trout struck out.�

The top of the 12th brought on the extra-inning tie-breaker rule that is used in international play.� Barden was "placed on first" and d'Arnaud was "placed on second", and Trout was up to bat.� Trout put down a grounder, but the base runners were speedy, and everyone was safe on a fielder's choice play.� C Jordan Pacheco (Rockies) ripped a double into left field, and both Barden and�d'Arnaud�came in to score (both "unearned").� Moustakas walked to load the bases.�� Eldred flied out, but it was too short for tagging up from third.� Then Hosmer grounded right to first for the second out of the inning.� The Venezuelan first baseman thought that he could also get Trout out at the plate, but his throw went well wide of his catcher.� Trout scored easily, and Pacheco raced around from second to score as well, and the USA�had a 6-2 lead.� Frazier was hit by a pitch for the second time, and he stole second base, but Phelps flied out to end the inning.

Venezuela was not done, though.� With Hill still on the mound, Venezuela also had two runners "placed" on first and second.� Hill hit the batter to load the bases.� He was relieved by Justin De Fratus (Phillies), who got a grounder to second base for a fielder's choice, allowing the runner from third to score.� But De Fratus got a pop out and another ground out to end the game and earn the save.� Hill was credited with the win.�

Team USA and Team Canada are scheduled to meet on Sunday at 2 pm (barring another rain issue, of course).

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Canada� 9,� Panama� 5

Team Canada fended off elimination for at least one more day with a win today over Panama.� The Canadians exploded to score 8 runs in the 3rd inning.� Adam Stern smacked a double with the bases loaded, and he scored on�a 2-run homer by Jamie Romak.� (It was Romak's fourth homer of the tournament, and second in two days.)� Moments later, another homer by Shawn Bowman drove in 3 more runs.� Adam Loewen added a solo home run in the 5th.�

Phillippe Aumont pitched 5 scoreless innings in his start for Canada, and he earned the win.� Tom Boleska followed Aumont with�one scoreless inning of relief.� Panama scored 4 runs in the 8th inning, including a 2-run homer, and scored one more in the 9th, but the Canadians held on for the win.�

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Team USA� 5,� Nicaragua� 0

Starter Todd Redmond pitched 7 shutout innings this afternoon to lead Team USA to victory over�Nicaragua in their first game of the second round of the Pan American Tournament.� Due to persistent rain in Puerto Rico, the location of the game was moved from Ponce to Carolina, then the time of the game was moved up to 4 pm.� The team barely had time to get dressed and stretch, and it was time to play.

Redmond started the game by getting into a jam in the top of the 1st.� He gave up a single to the lead-off hitter, then got two outs, then loaded the bases with a walk and a hit batter. But Redmond got out of the jam with a strikeout, and he sailed after that.� He gave up a single with two outs in the 2nd inning, but a base running blunder (don't round first base and then try to locate the ball)� let 1b Eric Hosmer tag the runner out to end the inning.� Two Nicaraguan coaches were ejected after arguing the play.� Redmond gave up two more singles -- one in the 4th, leaving the runner stranded, and one in the 7th, who he erased with a double play.� He struck out a total of 6 batters in his 7 innings.�

Team USA got the bats going in the bottom of the�1st.� With one out, 2B Cord Phelps (Cleveland Indians) doubled, then 3B Mike Moustakas (Royals) walked.� When the Nicaraguan pitcher made a pick-off throw to first but forgot to make sure his first baseman was there to catch the ball, Phelps raced around to score on the error.� Moustakas ended up on third base, and a sacrifice fly by DH Brad Eldred brought him across the plate, to give Team USA a 2-0 lead.�

The bats were quiet in the 2nd inning, and SS Chase d'Arnaud walked and stole second base in the 3rd, but was left stranded.� Team USA added a run in the 4th inning.� Hosmer singled, then advanced to second base on a fly out by LF Todd Frazier (Reds).� C Erik Kratz's RBI single plated Hosmer, and the Americans were up 3-0.�

The next 9 USA batters went down in order, until the bottom of the 8th.� D'Arnaud led off that inning with another walk, and moved to second base on a wild pitch.� A fly out by CF Mike Trout (Angels) pushed d'Arnaud to third base, then he scored on an RBI single by Phelps.� Eldred reached base on an error, then an RBI single by Hosmer brought Phelps in with the USA's 5th run.�

Tim Collins (Royals) pitched the 8th inning, working around a lead-off single.� Justin De Fratus (Phillies) took the 9th.� He gave up a 2-out single, then ended the game with a strikeout.�

�The win guarantees that Team USA will finish at least in the top 7 of this tournament, which gives them an automatic spot in the 2011 Pan Am tournament.

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Also playing:

Dominican Republic� 5,�� Canada� 2

The Canadians also got a change in venue (from Ponce to San Juan) and an earlier start time due to the rain.� The Dominicans got started in the bottom of the 1st inning with a run on a bunt single, a walk, and a sacrifice fly.� They picked up two more runs in the 3rd, courtesy of a triple, a single, and a double.� Canada got one run back in the top of the 4th,�on a single by Pete Orr, followed by a single that bounced off the first base umpire and a throwing error by the first baseman, allowing Orr to score.� Former Pirate farmhand Jamie Romak added another run for Canada with a solo home run in the 8th.� But the Dominican team scored one run in the 4th and another in the 8th, to easily take the win.�

Canada is now in a tight spot -- they must win their game against Panama on Saturday in order to advance to the semi-finals.

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Round Two of the Pan American tournament begins on Friday night, and Team USA leads off with a game against Nicaragua, after having had a day off on Thursday.� They continue over the weekend with afternoon games against Venezuela on Saturday and Canada on Sunday.� Then they finish round two with a game (which�might even be a preview of the championship rounds) against Cuba on Monday night.� Both Cuba and Team USA had 5-0 records in Round One.

Some stats from Round One:

Chase d'Arnaud: batting average .412 (7-for-17) with 3 doubles and a triple, and 4 RBI.

Erik Kratz:� batting average .333 (4-for-12) with two doubles and 3 RBI, including a hit-by-pitch for an RBI.

Brad Eldred: batting average .381 (8-for-21) with two doubles, a triple, and a home run, and 4 RBI.

Todd Redmond:� had made one start and earned the win in that game, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing 3 rund (2 earned) on 6 hits, one walk, and 2 hit batters, plus 4 strikeouts.

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The Arizona Fall League begins play on Tuesday, as well as the Mexican Pacific League and the Venezuelan Winter League... stay tuned!

Team USA� 10,� Panama� 2

Team USA finished their first round play in the Pan American tournament with a victory over Panama, to give them a 5-0 record.

Playing at Roberto Clemente Stadium in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the Americans jumped out to a great start, batting around in the top of the 1st, bringing in 4 runs.� SS Chase d'Arnaud, 1B Eric Hosmer (Royals) and Todd Frazier (Reds) each contributed an RBI.� Mike Trout (Royals) led off the top of the 4th with a solo home run, bringing the score to 5-0.

Danny Duffy (Royals) made the start for Team USA.� He gave up a walk to the first batter he faced, then sailed through the rest of the first three innings.� Panama scored one run off Duffy in the bottom of the frame on two doubles.� They threatened again in the 5th, but Duffy got out of the jam without any more runs scoring.

Chase d'Arnaud got Team USA going again in the 6th with a triple, and Trout's single brought d'Arnaud across the plate.� Trout stole second base, then Pacheco was hit by a pitch.� That brought up Brad Eldred (Rockies) who pushed the score to 9-1 with his 3-run homer over the left field wall.

Bryan Henry (Diamondbacks) relieved Duffy to begin the 6th inning.� He gave up one run after a lead-off triple for Panama's second run of the game.� In the 7th, Henry got into a jam, but a timely double play ended the inning without a run scoring.

D'Arnaud and Trout combined to give Team USA one more run in the 9th.� With one out, d'Arnaud doubled, then moved to third base on a throwing error.� Trout's second RBI single of the game plated d'Arnaud with the USA's 10th run.

Team USA now moves on to Round Two, after a day off on Thursday.� Both Team USA and the Cuban team (in Group B) finished Round One with 5-0 records.� So far, three teams have been eliminated:� Colombia, Aruba, and the Netherlands Antilles.

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Also today:

Canada 10,� Netherlands Antilles� 1 --� The Canadians ran over the Netherlands' Antilles team, holding them to just 4 hits and one run.� That one run came in the 7th inning on a walk, a double, and an RBI ground out.� Scott Diamond made the start for Canada and pitched 4 innings, allowing one hit and striking out 5 batters.� Five more pitchers got in one inning each, including former Pirate farmhand Dave Davidson. Davidson pitched the top of the 9th, and gave up one hit and a walk, but did not let a run score.�� Meanwhile, the Canadian batters were having their way with the Netherland Antilles' pitchers, putting up 12 hits.� The scoring started with CF Adam Stern's 3-run homer in the 2nd inning.� In the 3rd, they added another 3 runs with an RBI double by LF Adam Loewen, and an RBI ground out by Stern.� RF Jamie Romak added another home run, plus a single, accounting for 2 more RBI.

Team Canada will have Thursday off, then begin second round play on Friday, though their opponent has yet to be determined.

Team USA� 8,� Dominican Republic� 3

SS Chase d'Arnaud's 2-run double sparked a 5-run 3rd inning that led Team USA over the Dominican Republic in the Pan American tournament in Puerto Rico tonight.� The Dominicans scored a run in each of the first two innings, to take a 2-0 lead off American starter Chris Archer (Cubs).� Team� USA tied the score in the bottom of the 2nd inning, then burst out with 5 runs in the 3rd off Dominican starter Bartolo Colon. Mike Trout began the fun with a single, and moved to second base on a wild pick-off throw.� Cord Phelps' single scored Trout.� Phelps moved up to second base on the throw in from the outfield and advanced to third base on a fly out by Mike Moustakas (Royals).� DH Brad Eldred (Rockies) walked, then an RBI single by 1B Eric Hosmer (Royals) drove in Phelps.� Todd Frazier (Reds) worked a walk to load the bases, then C Erik Kratz picked up an RBI (Eldred) when he was hit on the hand by a pitch.� (Kratz was ok and stayed in the game.)� After another out, d'Arnaud's single up the middle scored Frazier and Hosmer, and Team USA had a 7-2 lead.� Each team scored one run in the 4th, and that was all the scoring for the rest of the game.

Brad Eldred also singled, scoring again.� Eric Hosmer had 3 hits and an RBI in the game.

Archer pitched 4 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits and 3 walks, with 5 strikeouts.� Reliever Nick Hill (Mariners) pitched the next three innings and held the Dominicans scoreless.� Anthony Carter (White Sox) and Tim Collins (Royals) each pitched one scoreless inning to wrap things up.

Team USA wraps up their first-round play on Wednesday evening, facing Panama.

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Cuba� 4,� Canada� 2 --� RF Jamie Romak doubled twice, and one was a ground rule double that bounced over the left field wall to drive in both of Canada's runs in the 4th inning to give Team Canada the first lead of the game.� But Cuba got one run back in the bottom of the 4th.� They scored 3 more runs in the 6th with two outs, when a bases-loaded double cleared the bases to take the win. Reliever Tom Boleska pitched a scoreless bottom of the 8th inning, allowing no hits and striking out 2 batters.

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Puerto Rico� 3,� Colombia 2 --� 3B Ramon Vasquez had 2 hits (a single and a double) and SS Luis Figueroa added 3 hits including a solo home run in Puerto Rico's victory.

Team USA� 13,� Colombia� 6

Team USA recorded 19 hits on their way to 13 runs as they ran over Colombia.� SS Chase d'Arnaud collected 3 of the hits, with one RBI, and C Erik Kratz and DH Brad Eldred (Rockies) had 2 hits each.� Team USA got going with a big 7-run 3rd inning.� 2B Brian Barden (Marlins) opened the inning with a double into left center field.� D'Arnaud grounded to second base, moving Barden to third.� RF Brett Jackson (Cubs) and CF Mike Trout (Angels) both walked, loading the bases.� 3B Mike Moustakas (Royals) drove in two runs (Barden and Jackson) with a single that slipped into right field.� Brad Eldred added a run with another RBI single that brought in Trout.� 1B Eric Hosmer (Royals) also singled, plating Moustakas.� Then LF Jamie Hoffman (Dodgers) tripled into right center, scoring both Eldred and Hosmer.� Hoffman scored when Kratz grounded to short, and the Americans had a 7-0 lead.

Colombia scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 3rd, on a walk, a triple, and an RBI ground out.� Team USA countered by scoring in the next 4 innings.� D'Arnaud singled to lead off the 4th inning, moved to second base on an error, to third on a ground out, and then scored on Trout's double.� Kratz picked up an RBI with his double in the 5th, and d'Arnaud's single drove in Kratz.� Doubles by both Trout and Moustakas added another run in the 6th.� D'Arnaud scored again in the 7th, when he doubled and LF Todd Frazier (Reds) brought him across the plate with a single.� Trout collected another RBI with a single that scored Frazier.

Mike Montgomery made the start for Team USA, earning the win with 5 innings of work.� He gave up the 2 runs in the third innings on a total of 5 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 6 batters.� Andre Lamontagne pitched 2 innings in relief.� He gave up Colombia's other 4 runs (one earned), all in the 6th inning.� An error put the first runner on base, then a double, a single, another double, and another error brought in the runs.� Bruce Billings finished the game by retiring the side in order in the 8th and 9th innings.

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Canada�� 13,� Argentina� 2 --� Starting pitcher Mike Johnson gave his bullpen a rest by pitching 7 innings and allowing only 2 runs on 10 hits, no walks, with 5 strikeouts.� The Canadians scored in 5 of the 7 innings, including a 6-run 6th inning.� The final stroke was a 2-run home run by RF Adam Loewen (Blue Jays) in the bottom of the 7th, which gave the Canadians the greater-than-10-run lead that ended the game early.

Puerto Rico� 7,� Panama� 6 -- 3B Ramon Vasquez scored 3 of Puerto Rico's runs, though he had only one hit -- he also was hit by a pitch.� Former Indy Indian SS Luis Figueroa had 2 hits and an RBI.� Puerto Rico scored 4 runs in the 2nd inning, but Panama caught up with 3 runs in the 4th, and had a 6-5 lead going into the top of the 9th.� That was when Puerto Rico scored 2 more runs to take the win.

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Other news:

Pedro Alvarez, last week's Player of the Week, is now also the September Rookie of the Month for the National League.� The former Indy Indian hit .311 in September, with 10 doubles, 5 homers, and 26 RBI.

The Arizona Fall League begins play next week.� Also starting play on Tuesday of next week:� The Mexican Pacific League and the Venezuelan Winter League.� The Dominican and Puerto Rican Leagues begin play on October 22nd.� Pirates' farmhand Rogelios Noris is slated to join his hometown Venados de Mazatlan.

Team USA� 14,� Aruba� 0

Four USA pitchers combined on a one-hit shutout of Team Aruba in this evening's Pan-Am Tournament.� Everett Teaford (Royals) made the start and faced only one batter over the minimum -- he gave up a single to Aruba's LF Christian Diaz to open the game.� The next two batters struck out, and the first inning ended with a fielder's choice grounder that had Diaz out at first base.� Teaford retired the next 12 batters he faced, including 10 strikeouts.� He struck out the side in the 5th inning.� Bryan Henry (Diamondbacks) relieved Teaford for the 6th inning, and Henry struck out two batters then got a ground out to end the inning.� Anthony Carter (White Sox) retired the first two batters in the top of the 7th, then Nick Hill (Mariners) came in from the bullpen to get the last out of the inning.

The American bats were quiet for the first two innings, but things got going in the bottom of the 3rd.� RF Jamie Hoffmann (Dodgers) singled to lead off the inning, then SS Brian Barden (Marlins) put Team USA onto the scoreboard with a 2-run homer.� Moments later, 3B Mike Moustakas (Royals) added another home run, to give the USA a 3-0 lead.

A walk by C Jordan Pacheco (Rockies), a single by Hoffmann, and a fielder's choice on a grounder by Barden made it 4-0 in the 4th inning.� Then Team USA broke things wide open in the 5th.� With one out, 1B Eric Hosmer (Royals) and LF Todd Frazier (Reds) both walked.� After a pitching change and a fly out, an error on a pick-off throw to first put Frazier on second and let Hosmer come around to score.� Hoffmann walked, then another error at shortstop on a ball hit by Barden loaded the bases.� CF Brett Jackson's (Cubs) single scored Hoffman and Frazier.� 2B Cord Phelps (Cleveland Indians) singled, driving in Barden.� Jackson advanced to third base on Phelps' single, and when the Aruba pitcher balked, Jackson scored.� Phelps scored from second base on Moustakas' single.� DH Brad Eldred (Rockies) also singled, and Hosmer loaded the bases with his second walk of the inning.� A fly out ended the inning with the bases still loaded, but Team USA had scored 6 runs, and had a 10-0 lead.

And it wasn't over yet.� Pacheco walked again to open the bottom of the 6th.� Four straight singles, by Hoffmann, Barden, Jackson, and Phelps brought in 3 runs, then a ground out by Moustakas drove in Jackson with the fourth run of the inning.� That gave Team USA a 14-run lead.� Aruba got one more chance in the top of the 7th, and went down in order, and with the international rules (they don't like the term "mercy rules") that ended the game.

Pirates' Erik Kratz and Chase d'Arnaud did not get into this game.

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Also on Sunday:

Venezuela� 5,� Canada� 3 --� Canada scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the 1st, then didn't score again until C Cole Armstrong (White Sox) smacked a solo home run in the bottom of the 9th.� RF Jamie Romak had one hit in four trips to the plate.� Tom Boleska pitched 2 innings for Canada, and allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk in the 4th inning.� Dave Davidson followed Boleska, but he also allowed 2 of Venezuela's 3 runs in the 6th, on 2 hits and 2 walks.� Davidson was charged with the loss.

Dominican Republic� 3,� Puerto Rico� 2 --� This one took 13 innings, and that was with the international rules that start the extra innings with runners already on base.� 2B/3B Ramon Vasquez went 0-for-2 at the plate and was hit by a pitch.� SS Luis Figueroa drove in one of the Puerto Rican runs with a sacrifice fly.

Team USA� 7,� Puerto Rico� 4

Team USA opened the Pan-Am tournament with a win over host Puerto Rico in Ponce on Saturday evening.� (USA was the home team for the game.)

Team USA got onto the scoreboard first, with 4 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning.� DH Brad Eldred (Rockies) opened the inning with a triple into left center field.� 1B Eric Hosmer (Royals) walked, and LF Todd Frazier (Reds/Louisville Bats), another name familiar to Indy Indians' fans, brought them both in with a 3-run home run.� CF Mike Trout (Angels) added the fourth run when he tripled, then scored on an error by the Puerto Rican SS Luis Figueroa (probably the same Luis Figueroa who played for the Indy Indians in 2004).

Puerto Rico got one run back in the 4th.� RF Jorge Padilla led off with a single, and moved to second base when 1B Naftali Soto was hit by a pitch.� A fielder's choice put Padilla on third, and he scored on DH Gabriel Martinez's RBI single.

The Puerto Ricans came within one run in the top of the 6th.� Padilla began with a walk, then after two outs, Martinez singled again, advancing Padilla to third base.� C Martin Maldonado singled, which drove in Padilla, then an error by CF Trout let Martinez score also.� Tim Collins (Royals)� came on to relieve starter (former Pirate farmhand) Todd Redmond (Braves) and Collins ended the inning with a pop out.� Redmond had pitched 5.2 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits and a walk with 4 strikeouts.

Team USA responded with 3 more runs in the bottom of the inning.� Todd Frazier and C Erik Kratz opened the frame with back-to-back singles, and Trout's ground out pushed them both into scoring position.� RF Brett Jackson (Cubs) hit the second 3-run home run of the game, and Team USA had a 7-3 lead.

Puerto Rico made one last attempt to rally in the top of the 9th.� They loaded the bases with a hit batter (2B Irving Falu), a single by another former Pirate, 3B Ramon Vasquez (now with the Mariners), and an error that let Figueroa reach base.� Padilla grounded to second base, but there was only time to get the out at first, so Falu scored.� Another ground out ended the inning and Team USA had the win.

Doubles were popular among Pirates' and former Pirates' hitters.� Brad Eldred doubled in the 3rd, but was left on base.� SS Chase d'Arnaud doubled in the 4th, and advanced to third when Jackson singled, but he was left standing on third base.� Erik Kratz doubled in the 8th inning, and he was also left stranded.

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In other games:

Team Canada won their first game also, beating Nicaragua 7-6, but they had to battle both the rain and Nicaragua's comebacks. Canada took a 3-run lead in the 2nd inning, including an RBI double by RF Jamie Romak. Nicaragua scored one run in the bottom of the 4th, and Romak got the run right back for Canada in the top of the 5th with a solo home run.� Then Nicaragua scored single runs in both the bottom of the 5th and the 6th (a solo home run), to make it a one-run game at 4-3.� Canada scored 2 runs in the top of the 7th, when SS Jonathan Malo (Mets) tripled, then scored on 2B Pete Orr's (Nationals) single.� Nicaragua tied the score with 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th on a bases-loaded double.� But Malo and Orr came through in the top of the 9th -- a bunt single by Malo, a single by CF Adam Stern (Brewers), and an RBI single by Orr gave Canada the lead and the win.

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On Friday night, Puerto Rico beat Aruba by a score of 12 - 0.� Only 7 innings were played -- remember that in international baseball, there are "mercy rules", and after 7 innings, the Puerto Ricans were ahead by more than 10 runs.� The Aruba pitchers walked 9 batters and gave up 11 hits in those 7 innings.� 3B Ramon Vasquez scored twice and was 0-for-1 in official plate appearances.� SS Luis Figueroa made another error but als had a hit and an RBI.

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Just over a week until the Arizona Fall League begins play.