Team USA fell to the Dominican Republic in World Baseball Classic Pool C play this evening in Miami by a score of 7-5.
Marcus Stroman started for Team USA, tossing 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out four.
Opposing Stroman for the Dominican Republic was Edinson Volquez, who struggled a bit more against a potent American lineup. He went just 3.2 innings, giving up three runs (one earned) on six hits, walking one and striking out a pair. In the third, the U.S. took advantage of an error in the outfield by Starling Marte, allowing a run to score and putting Adam Jones on third base. Christian Yellich then drove Jones home to make it 2-0.
The U.S. would tack on three more runs, thanks to two run-scoring hits by Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford as well as an RBI double by Giancarlo Stanton in the 6th off the Dominican bullpen.
Down 5-0, the Dominican Republic came roaring back, scoring seven unanswered runs off the American bullpen. Tanner Roark gave up three runs in just 1.1 innings, including a home run from Manny Machado. The D.R. took the lead, scoring four in the eighth off Andrew Miller.
Jeurys Familia came in to close it out against the U.S., tossing a perfect ninth. He finished off the game with just 11 pitches, and actually hit 101 miles per hour on the radar gun.
Jose Reyes started the game at shortstop for the D.R., going 1-for-5, staying out of the late-game offensive bonanza.
The U.S. is now 1-1 in Pool C play, with the Dominican Republic — the defending champions — sitting atop the pool at 2-0. The U.S. will look to advance with a win against Canada tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
