Tuesday's action

 

Lastings Milledge hit two

home runs and Brant Ust drove in four runs with a homer and a

two-run single Tuesday in the United States' 11-1 victory

over Spain in baseball's World Cup.

 

The United States (3-0) leads Group B, just ahead of

Nicaragua (2-0), which beat the Czech Republic 1-0 on Anibal

Vega's solo homer.

 

In Group A, Yuliesky Gourriel hit a two-run homer in the

first and a leadoff shot in the fifth to pace Cuba to its

fourth victory, 15-0 over Sweden. The Netherlands also

improved to 4-0 with a 7-0 victory over Brazil.

 

The top four teams in each group will advance to the Sept.

14 quarterfinals.

 

Ust hit his two-run single in the fifth to give the

Americans a 5-1 lead. He added a two homer with one out in

the seventh that was followed by Milledge's second and

another by Ben Zobrist to end the game on the game on the

10-run mercy rule. Mike Cervenak also homered for the

Americans, who outhit the Spaniards 14-4.

 

Jared Wells allowed one run and four hits through six

innings for the Americans.

 

In other games, Edgar Velazquez hit a two-run homer in the

seventh inning to lift Puerto Rico to a 6-4 win over Taiwan.

Taiwan led 4-3 in the sixth inning on a three-run shot by Kuo

Chun Yu.

 

Puerto Rico improved to 3-1, same as Japan, which beat

Colombia 12-0.

 

Tsutomu Takanezawa and Daisuke Kusano hit three-run homers

and Yoshikazu Doi gave up just four hits over seven innings

for Japan. Keiji Ikebe also homered for Japan.

 

For Cuba, Eriel Sanchez keyed an eight-run sixth inning

with a three-run homer.

 

Panama remained a game behind as Carlos Munoz's RBI double

highlighted a three-run fourth and led a 5-4 victory over

China.

 

Canada improved to 2-1, beating South Africa 12-1 on

homers by Geoff McCallum and Joey Votto.

What is the U.S's roster?

What is the U.S's roster?

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follow this ----> USA Professional Baseball National team

 

This team is competeing in the Netherlands for the U.S.

 

The Marlins are represented by P Chris Mobley

I love how the Mets were the only team with enough balls to send a real prospect.

Lastings Milledge is my new fav prospect. Seeing him live going 4-5 one game did it for me.

I love how the Mets were the only team with enough balls to send a real prospect.

They sent two. One of their top pitchers in Bannister as well as Milledge.

 

If Cuba and Japan are both in this, I can't see the US taking Gold. Not sure though.

Wednesday's Action

 

 

Chris Latham hit a

first-inning grand slam Wednesday, sending the United States

to a 12-6 victory over Puerto Rico at the Baseball World Cup.

 

The Americans (4-0) lead Group B in the 18-team

tournament, followed by Japan, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and

Taiwan. The best four teams from each of the two groups

advance to the Sept. 14 quarterfinals. Cuba is the defending

champion.

 

The U.S. team is managed by Davey Johnson and consists of

professionals not on 40-man major league rosters.

 

Chris Michalak gave up just one hit through four innings

for the Americans. Puerto Rico made it 4-3 in the fifth on a

solo homer by Jose Leon and two-run homer by Hector Kuilan.

 

The Americans broke the game open with four runs in the

sixth, keyed by Rob Johnson's three-run double. Puerto Rico

hit two more homers ? a leadoff shot in the sixth by Edgar

Velazquez and a two-run homer by Jesus Feliciano in the

seventh.

 

In other games, Japan beat Taiwan 7-1 with home runs by

Yohehi Kaneko, Yasuyiki Saigo and Daisuke Kusano, and

Nicaragua downed Spain 5-2.

 

 

Source: AP

Wells, Milledge lead U.S. to rout of Spain

Lefty fans nine in six innings; Mets prospect homers twice

By Daren Smith / MLB.com

 

 

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- Jared Wells supplied the pitching and Lastings Milledge supplied much of the power on Tuesday as the United States remained unbeaten at the World Cup with an 11-1 rout of Spain.

Wells, a 23-year-old right-hander who split the season between Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore and Double-A Mobile, allowed an unearned run on four hits in six innings. He struck out nine and walked two to help the U.S. improve to 3-0. Team USA faces Puerto Rico at 7 a.m. ET on Wednesday.

 

J.J. Trujillo tossed a hitless seventh before the game was ended due to the 10-run "mercy" rule.

 

Milledge, the New York Mets' first-round pick in the 2003 draft, led off the bottom of the first with his first home run of the tournament. The 20-year-old center fielder hit another solo shot in the seventh, the middle blast in a string of consecutive homers that was started by Brant Ust of the Wilmington Blue Rocks and ended by Salem Avalanche shortstop Ben Zobrist.

 

Ust had four RBIs, while Mike Cervenak of the Fresno Grizzlies hit the other homer for the United States, one of three undefeated teams left in the field. Jeff Deardorff of the Durham Bulls went 3-for-4 to lead a 14-hit American attack.

 

After Milledge staked the U.S. to a quick lead, Deardorff doubled it in the fourth with an RBI double before scoring on a base hit by Brian Peterson of the Chattanooga Lookouts.

 

Aided by Zobrist's throwing error, Spain (1-3) got on the board in the fifth when Orlando Jesus Diaz scored on a fielder's choice. Team USA answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning, with Ust delivering a two-run single. Cervenak's blast in the sixth made it 7-1.

 

Manuel Olivera took the loss after surrendering six runs on seven hits and five walks in four-plus innings. Javier Civit provided little relief, getting roughed up for five runs on seven hits in 2 1/3 frames.

 

Manny is a Marlin minor Leaguer who played for the Jupiter Hammerheads this year

Whats cuba's record?

I thought the Marlins had reliever on the dutch roster?

Rick Vandenhurk I believe is who you are thinking of.

Any other baby MArlins playing?

Scott Radinsky (US Pitching Coach) was once in the Marlins organization. He was a pretty good reliever with the Dodgers.

Any other baby MArlins playing?

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Paul Mildren (Hammerheads) and Catcher Trent D'Antonio (Greensboro) are playing for Australia

Any other baby MArlins playing?

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Paul Mildren (Hammerheads) and Catcher Trent D'Antonio (Greensboro) are playing for Australia

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Mobley is playing for usa right?

Yeah

Cuba will kick ass most certainly.

Thursday's Action

 

AMSTERDAM (AP) - Nicaragua beat winless Colombia 12-2 Thursday at the baseball World Cup to raise its record to 4-0 and share first place in its group with the United States.

 

Nicaragua, backed by five RBIs from Norman Cardoze, won the day's only game in the 18-team tournament and plays the Americans on Friday. The U.S. team is managed by Davey Johnson and consists of professionals not on 40-man major league rosters.

 

The U.S. and Nicaragua are followed in Group B by Japan (4-1), Puerto Rico (3-2) and Taiwan (2-2). In Group A, defending champion Cuba and the Netherlands are 5-0, followed by Panama (3-1) and Canada and South Korea (2-2).

 

Canada takes on the Dutch on Friday.

 

The best four teams from each of the nine-team groups advance to the Sept. 14 quarter-finals.

 

 

The U.S. was off on Thursday and returns to action as it says in the article on Friday against Nicaragua in a battle of undefeated teams

Friday's update

 

U.S. GETS BOMBED NASTY STYLE!!!

 

In its biggest game yet in the 36th World Cup, Team USA came up empty against Pool B rival Nicaragua.

 

Even with its top pitcher, righthander Brian Bannister (Mets), on the mound, Team USA fell behind 9-0 and lost 14-2 to Nicaragua for its first loss in the World Cup. Nicaragua, coached by former Cuban national team manager Jorge Fuentes, improved to 5-0 and took over sole possession of first place in Pool B.

 

Nicaragua immediately got on board in the first on back-to-back doubles by Ronald Garth and veteran Jenry Roa off Bannister to make it 1-0, and former big leaguers Marvin Benard made it 2-0 Nicaragua in the third when he doubled, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on passed ball.

 

The Nicaraguans chased Bannister with a four-run fourth inning, with four of the first six batters in the inning getting a hit. Benard?s single chased Bannister, and reliever Jason Phillips (Devil Rays) gave up a two-run single to Roa to make it 6-0.

 

Bannister gave up eight hits and six runs in 3 2/3 innings. Relievers James Garcia (Giants), Gilbert de la Vera (Royals) and J.J. Trujillo (independent) combined to give up nine hits and eight runs in the final three innings.

 

Roa went 3-for-4 with three RBIs to pace Nicaragua?s 20-hit attack, which also included a five-hit, four-run ninth inning.

 

Lefthander Oswaldo Mairena, who pitched 33 games in the majors for the Cubs and Marlins between 2000 and 2002, got the start and shut down Team USA?s potent offense for the first six innings before giving up two runs in the seventh. The U.S. had 10 hits in the game but scored only when Lastings Milledge (Mets), the top prospect on the team, hit a two-run homer off Mairena in the seventh inning, scoring Rob Johnson (Mariners) and making it 9-2. Team USA did not draw a walk off Mairena or reliever Wilton Sevilla.

 

Elsewhere in the tournament, Cuba beat Korea 3-1 but lost shortstop Eduardo Paret for the tournament with a knee injury. The upset of the day came when Colombia stunned Taiwan 3-2 behind former Western League pitcher Roque Roman.

 

The host Netherlands stayed undefeated and tied with Cuba for first place in Pool A by beating Canada 7-3, with righthander Chris Begg (Giants) taking the loss for Canada. Japan beat Australia and righty John Stephens (Orioles) 4-2, while Puerto Rico run-ruled the Czech Republic 11-1 as Randy Ruiz (Phillies) homered to pace a 12-hit attack.

 

Source: Baseball America

Wow Mariena, Who'd a thunkit. Remember the Fish had Roa in camp in 02. Any updates on the Aussies?

USA Continues To Falter At World Cup

By John Manuel

September 11, 2005

 

As Cuba remained the only undefeated team in the 36th baseball World Cup in the Netherlands, Team USA ran its losing streak to two over the weekend.

 

After the Americans had taken control of the game with a four-run sixth inning, Japan rallied with four runs over the final three innings against two American relievers for a 7-6 victory. Team USA (4-2) dropped into fourth place in Pool B behind the first-place Japanese (7-1), Puerto Rico (5-2) and Nicaragua (5-2).

 

Team USA didn?t play Sunday and plays the winless Czech Republic today before a Tuesday showdown with Taiwan (3-3). The U.S. has a one-game lead on Taiwan for the fourth and final spot in the medal round out of Pool B. The one-and-done medal round begins Wednesday.

 

Veteran first baseman Yasuyuki Saigo, a member of the 1996 Olympic silver medalist baseball team as an amateur, struck the big blows for Japan. Reliever Talley Haines (Cubs) gave up three runs in the seventh on a three-run homer by Saigo, and Japan got the game winning run in the ninth off American closer Chris Mobley (Marlins), whose 34 saves ranked second in the minor leagues this year for low Class A Greensboro. Mobley walked the leadoff man, Eishin Soyogi, in the ninth, and one batter later, Saigo made it 7-6 with an RBI single.

 

Team USA had relied on its potent offense as it tried to bounce back from Friday?s 14-2 drubbing against Nicaragua. Third baseman Mike Cervenak (Giants) hit a two-run homer in the fourth to tie the game 2-2, though Japan took a 3-2 lead in the fifth on a home run by Daisuke Kusano off American starter and big league veteran Jason Jacome (Mexican League).

 

The U.S. came back to take a 6-3 lead in the bottom of the sixth. Ben Zobrist (Astros) singled to lead off the inning, moved up on Cervenak?s walk and scored the tying run on an RBI single by Josh Phelps (Devil Rays). One out later, Jeff Deardorff (Rays) walked to load the bases, and Dee Brown (Nationals), a late addition to the roster, drove home two runs with a single. Deardorff also scored on the play on an error by the left fielder.

 

However, Saigo rallied the Japanese off the American bullpen, leaving Japan alone atop Pool B. Cuba is alone atop Pool A after winning a showdown with the host Netherlands 3-1 on Saturday. Cuban starter Osmari Romero was brillian against the Dutch, striking out nine and walking none in seven scoreless frames. Ivanon Coffie hit a solo homer in the ninth to keep the Dutch from being shut out. Cuba beat Partick Beljaards, who had started and won the European championship game against Italy last month for the Dutch on two days? rest. Cuba and the Netherlands are both clinched to move on to the medal round, however, as are Panama and Korea.

 

Cuba dominates the tournament leader board, and its best player has been Yuliesky Gourriel, who has moved to the third-base spot formerly occupied by Omar Linares. Gourriel has a tournament-best six homers and 14 RBIs.

 

Elsewhere on the weekend:

 

? Australia (3-4) kept its faint medal-round hopes alive with an 8-0 win against Spain more notable for the seven scoreless innings thrown by lefthander Paul Mildren (Marlins), who struck out 13 while giving up just two his. Trent Oeltjen (Twins) doubled and homered.

 

? Canada (3-4) split a pair of games, losing Saturday 7-0 to Cuba but beating China 14-2. However, Korea locked up the final spot in pool play as it improved to 4-3 with weekend victories against China (3-1) and South Africa (4-3). It also owns the head-to-head tiebreaker with Canada by virtue of a 7-6 victory last Monday. Canada ends its tournament against Brazil today.

 

? Japan followed up its win against Team USA by hammering Nicaragua 11-3 Sunday, even though Nicaragua out-hit the Japanese 14-13. Twelve of Nicaragua?s hits were singles, Japanese pitchers walked only one and Nicaraguan hitters struck out 13 times while their pitchers issued eight walks.

 

? Puerto Rico handed Nicaragua its other loss on Saturday with a 6-5 victory as center fielder Jesus Feliciano (Nationals) had three RBIs for Puerto Rico, which beat hard-throwing Nicaragan righty Devorn Hansack. Righthander Orlando Roman (Mets) got his second victory of the World Cup and struck out five in six innings while giving up only one run.

c/o BaseballAmerica.com

 

:plain

Jeffrey Deardorff and

Benjamin Zobrist each drove in two runs to help the United

States beat the Czech Republic 7-3 on Monday, giving the

Americans a quarterfinal berth in the Baseball World Cup.

 

Nicaragua also earned a quarterfinal spot with an 11-4

victory over Taiwan, and Puerto Rico advanced with a 7-4 win

over Spain. In other games, it was: Panama 5, South Africa 1;

South Korea 12, Sweden 2; Brazil 4, Canada 12; and Colombia

1, Australia 5.

 

Japan will play South Korea in one quarterfinal Wednesday,

but the other matchups won't be determined until after the

United States meets Taiwan on Tuesday.

 

 

Source: AP

? Australia (3-4) kept its faint medal-round hopes alive with an 8-0 win against Spain more notable for the seven scoreless innings thrown by lefthander Paul Mildren (Marlins), who struck out 13 while giving up just two his. Trent Oeltjen (Twins) doubled and homered.

 

 

Go Mr. Mildren. You were always one of my favorites!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WTG Millie (Mildren)the awesome Aussie, I think this kid is going to be something special someday soon. He had a phenomenal season with Jupiter considering his previous two at Greensboro. Back in 02 when he was pitching in the GCL he was believe it or not a better pitcher than Olsen or Johnson both on that staff. It's good to see him back on the right track.

Go cuba.