FROM USA BASEBALL
Matt Newman of Arizona State (Courtesy of USA Baseball)
(TOKYO) – Matt Newman (Arizona State) went 3-5 with four RBI for Team USA, but Japan rode a six-run third inning on its way to a 7-5 victory over the U.S., Monday, in the second game of the 37th Annual USA vs. Japan Collegiate Championship in the Tokyo Dome.
Team USA scored two runs in the first inning on Japanese starting pitcher Yuki Saito. Matt Newman (Arizona State) hit an RBI single to centerfield to score Christian Colon (Cal State Fullerton) from second base and Andy Wilkins singled through the right side to bring in Newman for the early 2-0 lead.
Japan scored six unearned runs in the top of the third inning on starter Drew Pomeranz (Ole Miss) to take the lead away from the U.S. After a Pomeranz throwing error to second base, Japan pieced together three consecutive RBI singles and a two-RBI double by Takanori Sato before the U.S. defense could get out of the inning.
Japan added its seventh run on a T.J. Walz (Kansas) wild pitch in the sixth inning.
Newman hit a base clearing double down the right field line to score Yasmani Grandal (Miami), Bryce Brentz (Middle Tennessee State) and Colon in the seventh inning. The U.S. continued to threaten after Michael Choice (UT Arlington) was hit by a pitch, but it was unable to capitalize in its comeback attempt.
The U.S. stranded five runners on base in the final three innings of the game.
Pomeranz (2-1) was tagged with the loss for the U.S. He surrendered six unearned runs on four hits in two and two-third innings of work. Saito (1-0) got the win for Team Japan.
Walz gave up one run and struck out three in his four and one-third inning of work and Nick Pepitone (Tulane) struck out three in the last two innings of the game. Grandal threw out four Team Japan base runners on the day.
Game three of the five-game series continues Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 6:00 PM (5:00 AM ET) at Miyagi Stadium in Sendai, Japan. The series is tied 1-1.
