Via MLB/Team USA

Even though Team USA was unable to secure first place in Pool C of the World Baseball Classic, they still found a way to advance to their fifth straight quarterfinal. While it wasn’t a pretty game, Mark DeRosa‘s squad defeated Colombia 3-2 at Chase Field to finish pool play with a 3-1 record.

Team USA got the scoring started in the top of the third. Mookie Betts had a single to right and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Then, Mike Trout drove him in with a base hit to put the USA ahead, 1-0.

Colombia answered that run back with two of their own in the bottom of the frame against Merrill Kelly. Oscar Mercado led off the inning with a double and scored on a Gio Urshela sacrifice fly to tie the game at one. They later took a 2-1 lead on an RBI double by Reynaldo Rodriguez.

Kelly ended up going three innings, allowing two runs on four hits, walking two batters, and striking out one on 61 pitches (36 strikes). After Kelly, the USA bullpen did their thing as they combined to allow two hits over the final six innings (nine strikeouts).

Over the final three innings, Jason Adam, Devin Williams, and Ryan Pressly struck out six of the combined 10 hitters they faced.

Trout helped Team USA get the lead back in the fifth. Will Smith drew a leadoff walk against Ruben Galindo and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Betts singled and advanced to second. Once Colombia switched pitchers and brought in Jasier Herrera, Trout singled to left in what would ultimately end up being the game-winning hit.

Out of the seven hits that Team USA had, five of them came from Betts and Trout. Trout was 3-for-4 with a triple and he hit .417 in pool play with six RBIs. In pool play, Team USA had a batting average of .268 and had 34 hits (lowest of any team left), so they will need the bats to find the same groove they had against Canada if they want to win back-to-back titles.

Pete Alonso was back in the lineup tonight as the designated hitter. However, his WBC struggles continued as he went 0-for-4 with a strikeout, and he is 0-f0r-9 with four strikeouts in the three games he has played.

Next Game

Team USA will be back in action on Saturday night when they head to Miami to take on Venezuela in the quarterfinals (7 p,m ET, FOX). The winner of that game would take on Cuba in the semifinals.

Venezuela went 4-0 in Pool D and their five home runs are the most of any team left in the tournament. On the mound, they have a team ERA of 2.00, which is the second-lowest behind Japan (1.50).