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Late Error Costs USA Baseball National Team Against Japan 7/11/2005 David Price Goes Seven Innings Giving Up Just One Run on Five Hits in the No-Decision KUMANO, Japan — Two unearned runs in the bottom of the eighth inning spelled doom for the USA Baseball National Team in a 3-1 loss Sunday against Team Japan in game two of the 34th Annual USA vs. Japan Collegiate Baseball All-Star Series at Kumano Stadium. Japan has won seven straight against Team USA, but the United States still holds a 107-87 advantage in the all-time series. With runners at first and second and no outs, Yutaurou Ohsaki lay down a sacrifice bunt in front of the mound. However, the throw to first from pitcher Chris Perez (Miami-FL, So., Holmes Beach, Fla.) sailed wide, allowing one run to score and putting runners at second and third. After a strikeout and an intentional walk, Shinichi Takeuchi scored the runner from third with a sacrifice fly to left-center. Team USA tried to rally in the top of the ninth. Adam Davis (Florida, So., Fort Myers, Fla.) led off with a double to left-center, and Josh Rodriguez (Rice, So., Houston, Texas) drew a two-out walk. However, pinch hitter Matt Wieters (Georgia Tech, Fr., Goose Creek, S.C.) fouled out to first, ending the threat and the game. Japan’s late rally spoiled the performance turned in by Team USA starter David Price (Vanderbilt, Fr., Murfressboro, Tenn.). In 7.0 innings, Price allowed one run on five hits and a walk with 11 strikeouts. Perez (1-1) was saddled with the loss after starting the eighth inning. Team Japan got on the board first, scoring a run on three successive hits in the bottom of the fourth. With one out and runners at first and second, Takeuchi doubled to right-center. However, a quick relay from right-fielder Drew Stubbs (Texas, So., Atlanta, Texas) to shortstop Blake Davis (Cal State Fullerton, So., Fountain Valley, Calif.) held Japan to only one run. Team USA immediately answered with a run in the top of the fifth. Rodriguez doubled to left field and scored two batters later on a two-out Shane Robinson (Florida State, So., Tampa, Fla.) single through the left side. Shingo Matsuzaki, the third of four Japan pitchers used on the day, earned the victory, allowing only a walk in 2.0 scoreless innings. Kenji Ohtonari pitched the ninth to earn the save. The series continues with game four Sunday at 5 a.m. EDT (6 p.m. Sunday in Japan) at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. TEAM JAPAN 3, TEAM USA 1 USA (3-1) 000 010 000 - 1 8 1Japan 000 100 02x - 3 6 0 WP — Matsuzaki. LP — Perez (1-1). Sv — Ohtonari. T — 2:43. |
