Defending WBC champion Japan used 2 big innings(the 5 run 4th,4 run 9th) to defeat Team USA 9-4 at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles Sunday night.The USA ends the 2009 WBC with a 4-4 record , Manager Davey Johnson’s squad was beset by injuries and players who refused to participate.
Team USA got off to a great start as Baltimore Orioles 2b Brian Roberts crushed a lead off homer to opem the game. NY Mets 3b David Wright continued his strong tournament with a clutch 2 out double in the 3rd to make it 2-1 USA. Jimmy Rollins had another strong game, going 4 for 4 with a walk to pace the USA offense.
The Japanese lineup, featuring 7 lefties to attack US starter Houston Astros RH Roy Oswalt, broke open a 2-1 game with a 5 run 4th chasing the USA starter. Manager Johnson was put in a tough spot when his lefty reliever Pittsburgh Pirates LH John Grabow had trouble warming up in the unseasonably cold weather, forcing him to keep Oswalt in the game longer than he wished. The damage( Oswalt’s line: 3 2/3 innings, 6 hits, 6 runs(4 earned), 1 walk and 1 K) was done and the USA played from behind the rest of the night.
Japanese and Boston Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka was strong and battled into the 5th, going 4 2/3 innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 runs with 3 walks and 4 Ks. The strong Japanese bullpen followed and gave up only 4 hits and 2 runs over 4 1/3. The Japanese bats hammered out 10 hits(7 singles) and drew 2 walks.
The USA drew to within 2 runs in the 8th after Milwaukee Brewers LF Ryan Braun drove in two with an rbi double. Braun was standed at 3rd when PH Evan Longoria(Tampa Rays) K-ed and Roberts grounded back to the pitcher. Japan pulled away in the ninth with 3 runs after an error by NY Yankees and Team USA SS Derek Jeter’s (poor throw) extended the inning. Japan now plays Korea for the WBC championship Monday night.
Team USA lineup
1- 2b Brian Roberts- Baltimore Orioles
2-SS Derek Jeter-NY Yankees
3-DH Jimmy Rollins-Philadelphia Phillies
4-RF David Wright- NY Mets
5- RF Adam Dunn- Washington Nationals
6-LF Ryan Braun-Milwaukee Brewers
7- C Brian McCann- Atlanta Braves
8-1b Mark DeRosa- Cleveland Indians
9-CF Curtis Granderson-Detroit Tigers
