Friday, March 10, 2006

Italy vs Dominican Republic

Tonight I watched yesterday's Italy/DR game on Tivo. I'm trying to avoid spoiling myself on the USA/South Africa game, which doesn't air until tonight at midnight, although apparently Junior's tearing it up based on a subject line I saw at Redszone and at RedReporter.

Anyway, the Italy/DR game was something of a mismatch, but it's kind of fun to see minor leaguers and guys from Italy's professional baseball league take on the likes of Albert Pujols and David Ortiz...especially when those guys do well (Pujols raked, but Ortiz was "held" to 0-2 with two walks). Piazza looked like he was about ready to retire, although I'll grant that it's early in the season and he might just be rusty.

Two Reds were playing in the game tonight. Wily Mo Pena went 1-2 with a single and a strikeout, and was also hit by a pitch (no harm done). He was lifted for a cameo appearance by Luis Palonia in the 7th, who apparently is still actively playing in the Dominican winter leagues. Defensively, Pena did fine on two easy chances, both on fly balls to right in the 7th.

Frank Menechino, batting 2nd for the Italian team, went 1-4 with an RBI double in the third. He also scored in that inning when Frank Catalano drove him in with a double. Frank also had an excellent at-bat in the 8th, seeing 6 pitches before hitting a 2-2 fly ball to right field. Defensively he looked good enough, although there was little he could do to handle the wild-throwing 3B Saccomanno.
-JinAZ

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