Team USA played their opening game of the World Baseball Classic on Friday night and defeated Colombia 3-2 on a walk-off single from Adam Jones in the tenth inning. Andrew McCutchen was in left field for the first eight innings before leaving for a pinch-hitter. He batted eighth and came to the plate twice, grounding out and striking out. Josh Harrison didn’t play.
Colombia took a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning of this game and starter Jose Quintana, who everyone here should know from the constant trade rumors all off-season, held Team USA hitless for the first 5.2 innings. He faced the minimum during that time, allowing just a walk, which was immediately erased on a double play. Team USA starter Chris Archer threw four no-hit innings of his own.
Former Pirates prospect Tito Polo did this in the first inning…
Tito Polo, pure athleticism. #WBC2017 pic.twitter.com/YiK57XfTOC
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 11, 2017
Tomorrow’s schedule is a busy one for Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Baseball Classic. The first three games listed below will be shown on MLB Network.
Eric Wood and Canada start the day against Colombia at noon. Canada lost their opener to the Dominican Republic.
Francisco Cervelli and Italy will take on Venezuela at 3:00 PM. Italy won 10-9 on Thursday over Mexico, scoring five runs in the bottom of the ninth without making a single out for the walk-off win.
Starling Marte is scheduled to return from his minor ankle injury tomorrow. Along with Gregory Polanco and Team Dominican Republic, they will take on Josh Harrison, Andrew McCutchen and team USA at 6:30 PM.
Jared Lakind joined Israel for round two and they will take on Cuba at 10 PM. That game will be streamed online.