ANAHEIM, March 12 (Reuters) - Alex Rodriguez stroked a two-out bases loaded
single in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the U.S. a riveting 4-3 victory
over Japan on Sunday, in a World Baseball Classic showdown between the sport's
two superpowers.
Venezuela pitcher Francisco Rodriguez reacts
after winning against Puerto Rico during their game of the second round in
the 2006 World Baseball Classic in San Juan March 13, 2006.
[Reuters] |
Rodriguez, who had suffered jeers
during the 16-nation tournament, was showered with cheers and mobbed by team
mates when he lined a sharply hit ball off the glove of relief pitcher Fujikawa
Kyuji scoring Randy Winn with the deciding run to give the U.S. a winning start
to second round play.
"It was a big win for us," said New York Yankee Rodriguez, who waffled
between playing for his native Dominican Republic and the U.S. before finally
settling on an American uniform.
"We learned in the first round losing to Canada, every game is extremely
important."
It was a crushing defeat for Japan who had led 3-0 after two innings and
never trailed until Rodriguez's game-winning hit.
Tied 3-3, Japan had looked to retake the lead in the top of the eighth when
they loaded the bases on U.S. reliever Joe Nathan and Tsuyoshi Nishioka came
home on Akinori Iwamura's short sacrifice fly.
INSTANT RIVALRY
But Nishioka was called out for leaving the third base early bringing Japan
manager Sadaharu Oh and a translator out of the dugout to argue the call.
Japan again loaded the bases in the ninth but failed to cash in the go ahead
run, Brad Lidge striking out Hiyoshi Tamura to end the threat.
Even though the U.S. and Japan arrived in the second round as group
runners-up, the contest was the first true marquee clash of the tournament.
With the world's two top professional leagues to draw from, the U.S. and
Japan fielded talent-rich teams creating an instant rivalry and an intensity
level that had not been seen during opening round matches in the United States.