#55---Venezuela v. Dominican Republic, 2/2/2009 (Caribbean Series)

This opening day Caribbean Series matchup was the first game I had the opportunity to watch and score in 2009. Venezuela starter Brad Knox pitched 6 1/3 no-hit innings, albeit with five walks. After the fifth walk, he had made 88 pitches and was removed. His replacement Yohan Pino promptly served up a game-tying homer to Ronnie Belliard.

In the ninth, though, Venezuela recaptured the lead as Luis Maza improved his day at the plate to 4-5, and Francisco Butto struck out the Dominican side in order to close out the game.

#54---Japan v. Cuba, 3/20/2006 (World Baseball Classic final)

Japan won the first WBC title with two four-run innings; in the first they established command of the game, and in the ninth they managed to take a commanding 10-5 lead after Cuba had chipped away. Daisuke Matsuzaka started and allowed just one run in four innings while striking out five. After Frederich Cepada’s two run homer in the eighth brought Cuba back into the game, Akinori Otsuka was summoned, and while he allowed a run in the ninth, he fanned Cuba’s last two hitters (including star Yulieski Gourriel for the final out) to clinch the title.

And the rest of the semi-free world rejoiced (or at least this fan did).

#53---United States v. Korea, 3/13/2006 (World Baseball Classic)

After the US opened the second round of the WBC by scratching out a win over Japan, one could have been forgiven if they viewed the loss to Canada as just a hiccup. But this game against Korea gave American fans serious cause for concern. Starter Dontrelle Willis labored, making 58 pitches in three frames while walking four, hitting a batter, and surrendering three runs.

It was in the fourth that the Wheelers came off. With two outs, Dan Wheeler surrendered a double to second baseman Kim. At this point, Buck Martinez decided it was a good idea to walk the red-hot Seung-Yeop Lee intentionally. Korea brought up a major leaguer (Hee Seop Choi) as a pinch-hitter, and his three run blast to right essentially ended the game right then and there.

#52---Puerto Rico v. Cuba, 3/10/2006 (World Baseball Classic)

This opening round game caused a lot of people, myself included, to downplay Cuba’s chances to advance deep into the WBC. Oops.

Puerto Rico simply had their way with Cuba in front of a friendly crowd in San Juan, getting two-run shots from Bernie Williams, Alex Cintron, and Carlos Beltran. The short leash granted to the Cuban pitcher was on display as Gonzalez was pulled after walking the bases loaded with two down in the first, and three pitchers were used in the fourth inning alone. Things got a little chippy in the seventh as Jose Santiago hit Cuban batter Moreno with two outs, getting himself and manager Jose Oquendo tossed. In the end, though, Cuba would get the last laugh as they would beat Puerto Rico in the second round.

#51---United States v. South Africa, 3/10/2006 (World Baseball Classic)

After the US lost to Canada, their final first round game against South Africa was an absolute must-win. South Africa was actually competitive against Canada, but still there was little tension, and for good reason. Roger Clemens gave up just one hit (a groundball up the middle) in 4 1/3 innings of work while striking out six, and the US unleashed an offensive assault, putting up crooked numbers in the first three frames. Ken Griffey led the barrage, going 4-4 with two homers, three runs scored, and 7 RBI, while Derrek Lee chipped in at 3-4 with a homer, three runs, and 4 RBI. The mercy rule ended the game after five.