In a shocking development in a World Baseball Classic already filled with upsets so far, Italy had a tall task ahead: beat a scrappy Team Canada, or be eliminated. Italy turned the the baseball world on its ear yet again, with the 3rd mega-upset of the tournament: Italy beat Canada on their own turf at Rogers Centre, 6-2.
At the center of all the runs was Oakland A's outfielder Chris Denorfia. He went 4-for-4 with 2 runs scored, 2 runs batted in, and two doubles, and he also made a spectacular diving catch to rob Joey Votto of extra bases.
Former Chiba Lotte Marine Dan Serafini got the start for Italy, and took a one-hit shutout into the fourth inning, but got yanked after giving up three straight doubles, culminating in Red Sox outfielder Jason Bay's 2-run 2-bagger. In all, Serafini went 3-plus innings, giving up 3 runs on four hits and walking 2.
Chris Cooper and Jason Grilli were the other two Italian pitchers to come out of the bullpen, and they were just as effective, if not more so than Serafini. Cooper walked 3 and struck out 4, giving up 2 hits in 2 and 2/3 innings, while Grilli pitched 3 and 1/3 innings of 1-hit ball, walking 2 and striking out 2.
Canada sent Vince Perkins to the mound, but continually got himself into trouble, walking four and giving up 3 hits, but he only surrendered 2 runs and struck out 2 in as many innings. This highlighted a major problem with Team Canada: they could hit, but they had no pitching. Mike Johnson of Korea's SK Wyverns was rocked in the game against Team USA.
Canada's vaunted hitting of former AL MVP Justin Morneau, Votto, Bay, and Mark Teahen could not carry the team, as Canada needed six pitchers to get through the game.
Canada is eliminated thanks to the upset loss, and Italy is gearing up for another potential upset, with their next opponent being powerful Venezuela. The Venezuelans will be hungry to take another shot at Team USA, having lost to them 15-6 last night. However, after tonight, don't count the Italians out.
Re: No Bad Puns Allowed! Italy KO's Host Canada
[ Author: Guest | Posted: Mar 26, 2009 9:18 AM
]
I asked the bar tender to bring a pitcher full of bear
he brought me a drunk baseball player
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At the center of all the runs was Oakland A's outfielder Chris Denorfia. He went 4-for-4 with 2 runs scored, 2 runs batted in, and two doubles, and he also made a spectacular diving catch to rob Joey Votto of extra bases.
Former Chiba Lotte Marine Dan Serafini got the start for Italy, and took a one-hit shutout into the fourth inning, but got yanked after giving up three straight doubles, culminating in Red Sox outfielder Jason Bay's 2-run 2-bagger. In all, Serafini went 3-plus innings, giving up 3 runs on four hits and walking 2.
Chris Cooper and Jason Grilli were the other two Italian pitchers to come out of the bullpen, and they were just as effective, if not more so than Serafini. Cooper walked 3 and struck out 4, giving up 2 hits in 2 and 2/3 innings, while Grilli pitched 3 and 1/3 innings of 1-hit ball, walking 2 and striking out 2.
Canada sent Vince Perkins to the mound, but continually got himself into trouble, walking four and giving up 3 hits, but he only surrendered 2 runs and struck out 2 in as many innings. This highlighted a major problem with Team Canada: they could hit, but they had no pitching. Mike Johnson of Korea's SK Wyverns was rocked in the game against Team USA.
Canada's vaunted hitting of former AL MVP Justin Morneau, Votto, Bay, and Mark Teahen could not carry the team, as Canada needed six pitchers to get through the game.
Canada is eliminated thanks to the upset loss, and Italy is gearing up for another potential upset, with their next opponent being powerful Venezuela. The Venezuelans will be hungry to take another shot at Team USA, having lost to them 15-6 last night. However, after tonight, don't count the Italians out.