USA Baseball won its first two games of the second round in the COPABE 2010 Pan American/World Cup Qualifier. On Friday night, they shutout Nicaragua 5-0, and pulled out a twelve inning, 6-3, victory against Venezuela this afternoon.
Atlanta Braves Prospect Todd Redmond (Williamsport Crosscutters, 2005) gave up 4 singles and stuck out 6 batters over his 7 scoreless innings to ensure his second victory of the Tournament. Second baseman Cord Phelps (Cleveland Indians, 2008 Mahoning Valley Scrappers) went 2 for 4 with a double, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI. DH Brad Eldred (Colorado Rockies, 2002 Williamsport Crosscutters) went 0 for 4 with 1 RBI. Catcher Erik Kratz (Pittsburgh Pirates, 2003/2004 Auburn Doubledays) went 1 for 3 with an RBI. Shortstop Chase D'Arnaud (Pittsburgh Pirates, 2008 State College Spikes) went 0 for 1 with a run scored, a stolen base and 2 walks. Justin De Fratus (Philadelphia Phillies, 2008 Williamsport Crosscutters), making his third appearance of the Tournament, held the Nicaraguan team to one hit in one scoreless inning.
With the victory, the USA went to 5-0 in the second round. They were able to carry over their three wins against Group A teams that made it into the second round (Dominican Republic, Panama, Puerto Rico). Now, after ensuring at least a top seven spot in the Tournament, the USA has earned a spot in the 2011 Pan American Games in Mexico.
In today's game, the USA and Venezuela were tied 2-2 after 11 innings. The international extra-inning rule then went into effect. This rule, which was created in 2008, allows the hitting team to place runners on first and second bases and start their inning with whichever batter it wants. The USA scored 4 runs in the top of the 12th to take a 6-2 lead. Venezuela was able to load the bases after the first batter walked. Then, Team USA brought in Justing De Fratus who retired the next three batters to end the game and earned the team's first save of the Tournament.
Cord Phelps started at second base, and went 2-6 with a triple, and an RBI. DH Brad Eldred went 0 for 3 with 3 walks and a stolen base. Shortstop Chase D'Arnaud went 1 for 4 with a run scored and a walk.
With this victory, the USA improved to 7-0 for the Tournament and 5-0 in the second round. The victory has guaranteed them a spot in the Final Four, which begins on October 12th. Tomorrow, the USA, ranked 2nd in COPABE and the IBF plays Canada, and then finishes the next round against Cuba, the top ranked team in COPABE and the IBF.
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