Day One gave us two well-pitched games and two identical 3-2 scores. In the opener, the big story was Brad Knox’s six and a third no-hit innings. If he hadn’t been removed from the game due to his pitch count, the error ruling on the one hard-hit ball he allowed–a grounder smoked by catcher Robinzon Diaz to third baseman Luis Ugueto–might have been an issue. It’s hard to take a team that drew five walks while Knox was in the game to task for not being patient, but (as I said in the comments on yesterday’s preview) the Dominicans were hacking as if they had a bus to catch. Knox benefitted from the afternoon sun drawing a shadow between the mound and the plate–between the shadow and Knox’s pitch count, they had good reason to slow the game down and take as many pitches as possible.
In the nightcap, starters Giancarlo Alvarado and Walter Silva each racked up 11 strikeouts (according to ESPN Deportes, the first time two Caribbean Series starters had double digit strikeouts in the same game), and the two teams combined for 27 strikeouts–more whiffs than any other type of out. The Gonzalez brothers knocked in all three of Mexico’s runs, as the host team came back from a 2-1 deficit to win. Mexico will count on some more Gonzalez love tonight, as the other Edgar Gonzalez takes the mound against Tim Harikkala for Venezuela. For some reason, I can’t find the starters for the early game listed anywhere. Lefty Hector Mercado will take the mound for Puerto Rico in the early game, facing Orioles farmhand Alfredo Simon for the Dominican team. Once again, you’re invited to use the comments below as a running discussion thread for both games.
So, is lack of plate discipline (or, indeed, hacking) going to be a recurring theme in this series? I can't help but think the hitters impatience was a big part of the good pitching performances we saw yesterday and high Ks in the Mexico v Puerto Rico game.
Whatever, I'm enjoying the series, good to see BP covering it
Mota just led off the broadcast saying that the early matchup of winless teams, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico featured "powerhouses, perhaps teams that came into this tournament as favorites."
Who exactly considered Puerto Rico a powerhouse or a favorite, coming into this tourney? When did this happen?
Odd choice in the middle of the fifth, going directly to commercial as soon as the last out was recorded, even though PR's starter was crumpled on the ground after getting hit by a comebacker. Is he OK? Who cares! Gotta pay the bills...
In response to Benny, yeah, Licey's picked a bad moment to forget how to hit. Offerman played off yesterday's loss in the Dominican press as the team being rusty due to a long layoff. That excuse only words once.
I'm wondering how the winner is determined in this tournament? I know its a round-robin but is there a playoff round after that? Perhaps with the top 2 teams playing each other?????
Good Stuff! I guess now it behooves Mexico and the DR to see Puerto Rico beat Venezuela. God, if only Comcast would air MLB Network already. I've been following the action on MLB.com but it doesn't compare to the live telecast......Go Mexico!
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So, is lack of plate discipline (or, indeed, hacking) going to be a recurring theme in this series? I can't help but think the hitters impatience was a big part of the good pitching performances we saw yesterday and high Ks in the Mexico v Puerto Rico game.
Whatever, I'm enjoying the series, good to see BP covering it