David Wright was 2-for-5 and drove in five runs to help Team USA salsa past Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. The biggest blow Wright landed was a three-run double in the eighth inning which pushed their lead to 7-1, which was the final score.
''Obviously the adrenaline gets pumping for this tournament,'' Wright said after the game. ''You wear that uniform, you want to go out there and represent your country. Hitting in this lineup is ridiculous. You have some of the best hitters in the game, and it creates some matchup problems.'' Wright now leads all World Baseball Classic participants with 10 RBI.
Gio Gonzalez kept Puerto Rico's lineup at bay in the best start yet from a Team USA pitcher. Gonzalez pitched five innings and allowed three hits and no runs with five strikeouts. Gonzalez said Team USA pitching coach Greg Maddux helped calm him before the key game. "He said to think about fishing or something and take your mind off it. Tune it out and think of something real simple. When you get some of the greats of baseball to help you out with your composure and keep your tunnel vision, that's the best you can do.''
The win sets up a showdown with the Dominican Republic on Thursday night, who came back from a 4-0 deficit against Italy to win 5-4. The Dominican Republic features one of the most star-studded rosters in the World Baseball Classic and are led by Yankees' second baseman Robinson Cano, whose 12 hits lead the World Baseball Classic.
Cano and Jose Reyes homered against Italy, before Edwin Encarnacion of the Blue Jays, Hanley Ramirez of the Dodgers and Nelson Cruz of the Rangers all drove in runs with the bases loaded in the seventh inning, allowing the Dominican team to pull ahead.
The losses for Puerto Rico and Italy force them into an elimination game tonight at 7:00 p.m.
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