Pyle of List

It’s still an exhibition to them.

There are still pitch counts that must be met, yet not exceeded. There is still rust on some joints that needs to be worked off. And there is still not a killer instinct to win this thing.

That is your USA Baseball update in a nutshell. After splitting games this weekend, Team America finds itself one loss away from going home early. Again.

Hopefully something can fire these guys up and get them through to the semis. Otherwise, with their current intensity, they’re screwed.

Game 4 USA 1, Puerto Rico 11

Mercy ruled. That’s how we started off the second round, with a Little League inspired rule so no one get’s their little feelings hurt too badly. Embarrassing.

Where did the bats go? A team of “all-stars” can only muster up 6 hits? Terrible. Everyone should be ashamed.

And by everyone, of course I mean the pitchers too. Peavy got rocked for 6 runs (all earned) on 6 hits in only two innings. Why was he left out there to wallow? Because he had to reach a certain number of pitches, of course! No wonder the Cubs and/or Braves didn’t want to empty the farm system for this guy. (Note: I’m actually a big Peavy fan, just frustrated with his performance in the WBC)

USA Player of the Game: Brian McCann (2 for 3, RBI)

USA Goat of the Game: The 1 thru 4 hitters (0 for 12, 1 K)

Game 5 USA 9, Netherlands 3

This was Team America’s first taste of sending someone home, and I hope that the taste of blood gets them fired up. Either way, nice to see us put away a team we are supposed to beat unlike other countries (see: Republic, Dominican).

The offense started at the top (like it’s supposed to) with Rollins and Roberts setting the table. And clearing it, actually.  The two combined to go 5 for 7 with 2 BB, 5 RBI, HR, and 4 runs scored. Adam Dunn also added his third dinger of the WBC in the sixth. It was a freakin’ bomb! Even blind people knew it was gone the second he hit it.

Finally, our aces are acting like it! Oswalt threw 4 scoreless innings giving up five hits, striking out 5, and walking none. This is how it is supposed to work, with the game basically being over once it gets to our One Inning Wonder of a bullpen.

USA Player of the Game: Oswalt (4IP, 0 runs, 5 hits, 5 Ks)

USA Goat of the Game: Curtis Granderson (0 for 3, BB, run scored, 2 LOB)

Next game: Tonight vs. Puerto Rico/Venezuela