USA Powers Up Again, Smashes Venezuela

A pretty early matchup that might have made some heads turn, USA and Venezuela were a pretty tightly-contested team. The Americans sent Houston Astros starter Roy Oswalt to the mound against Venezuelan starter Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers.

Mark DeRosa, who was one of the role-players that Team USA has so many of, lined a triple into left center to score USA's first 2 runs of the game.

Like the first few games of the tournament, it was close for the first four innings. Oswalt, like Jake Peavy before him, struggled with his control early on as he walked 2 and scattered 6 hits while giving up 3 runs. He was done after four innings, and the Americans trailed 3-2 after 5 innings.

But then, the 6th inning came along. Washed-up MLB starter Victor Zambrano got through the 5th inning without incident, but then he imploded in the 6th. Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis struck out badly on a Zambrano slider, but then reached after the ball skipped away. After loading the bases, Zambrano then walked DeRosa to force in a run and tie the game. It wouldn't get any better as Colorado Rockies catcher Chris Ianetta hit a double to right-center off Carlos Vazquez that cleaned the bases and immediately put USA in the lead to stay, 6-3.

Yoel Hernandez then came in and, after a strikeout and a walk, gave up a double down the left-field line to reigning American League MVP Dustin Pedroia that knocked in both Ianetta and Derek Jeter. With 2 down, and after an 11-pitch at-bat, Kevin Youkilis socked his second home run of the tournament. The 2-run job capped an 8-run 6th inning and gave USA a commanding 10-3 lead.

Venezuela didn't go down without a fight though. Oakland A's pitcher Brad Ziegler came in and the sidewinding righty gave up two runs on three hits and ducked in and out of trouble. The game was still somewhat within reach, at 10-5 in favor of the Americans.

However, Adam Dunn erased all thoughts of a Venezuelan comeback with a monstrous home run into the second deck of Rogers Centre. The Americans added three more in the 8th and 1 more in the 9th off the bat of Ryan Braun. Final score was USA 15, Venezuela 6.

Matt Lindstrom, who relieved Oswalt, got the win, while Victor Zambrano took the loss.

With the win, Team USA clinches a berth in Round 2, though it is still possible to lose Pool C, as proven today by Korea, who beat Japan to win Pool A earlier.