March 8, 2013

WBC: Italy 14, Canada 4 (8)

Canada - 010 001 20 -  4  7  1
Italy  - 104 010 35 - 14 17  0  
Canada loses big in a game stopped with no outs in the bottom of the eighth because of the dreaded Mercy Rule.

The first seven Italian hitters had reached safely in the eighth frame; who knows how many runs they might have scored had they been allowed to continue. Canada's manager, Ernie Whitt: "We got our asses kicked today."

Canada plays Mexico tomorrow at 2:30 PM.

Shawn Hill / Alex Maestri

Canada will be without Brett Lawrie (Blue Jays), who strained his left rib cage diving for a ground ball in Wednesday's exhibition game against the Reds. Infielder Taylor Green (Brewers) replaces Lawrie on the roster.

The game has been moved from Salt River Fields to Chase Field and its retractable roof because rain is expected.

On Thursday afternoon, Italy scored two runs in the top of the ninth and beat Mexico 6-5. Former Red Sox farmhand Anthony Rizzo (Cubs) drove in the two runs with a double off closer Sergio Romo (Giants). (Italy's leadoff hitter, Mr. Nick Punto (Dodgers), started the rally with a one-out double.) Mexico tried to rally in the bottom of the ninth, but left the bases loaded.

WBC scoreboard

10 comments:

allan said...

T1: Votto draws a two-out walk in the top of the first. Stranded by Morneau.

B1: Punto singles. Bastard. Wild pitch puts him on second, infield groundout moves him to third. Rizzo grounds out, Punto scores. After Liddi reaches on E6, next batter grounds out. Italy 1-0.

allan said...

T2: Michael Saunders doubles to left. Then - after a strikeout and a 5-3 - Pete Orr doubles to right. Tied 1-1. K ends the inning.

allan said...

B2: Italy down in order: 1-4-3, 5-3, 6-3.

allan said...

T3: Gillies 3U. Green 3-1. Votto K looking.

allan said...

B3: Granato single and stolen base. Punto BB. Denorfia GIDP 4-6-3. (Hill at 43 pitches; Mathieson now pitching) Rizzo BB. Liddi singles, run scores, 2-1. ...

(and now back to work)

allan said...

Ack. Then a dong. Italy 5-1.

Gregory Lynn said...

Uh, Allan, y'all might have a bit of a problem here.

allan said...

Because I'm paying too much attention to this game or because it's now 15-4?

allan said...

Oop. 14-4. Mercy rule. Final.

laura k said...

Uh, Allan, y'all might have a bit of a problem here.

Just the one?