Baseball notebook: Wright’s grand slam leads U.S. to victory
David Wright hit a two-out grand slam in the fifth inning and the United States beat Italy 6-2 Saturday night in the World Baseball Classic.
The U.S. (1-1) meets Canada (1-1) in the final game of Pool D play today with the winner advancing to the second round.
Ryan Vogelsong settled down after a shaky start to get the victory. The San Francisco right-hander went four-plus innings, allowing two runs and six hits, striking out four.
The U.S. fell behind 2-0 after two innings but shut the Italian squad down on two hits the rest of the way.
Washington’s Ross Detwiler blanked Italy on one hit over the final four innings to get the save.
Vogelsong left after giving up a leadoff single in the fifth, then his Giants teammate, and Spokane resident, Jeremy Affeldt retired three straight to end the inning. Detwiler did the rest.
Wright, Jimmy Rollins, Brandon Phillips and Ryan Braun had two hits apiece for the United States.
Brawl breaks out as Canada beats Mexico
A fierce brawl that saw Alfredo Aceves and several players throw nasty punches erupted in the ninth inning of Canada’s 10-3 romp over Mexico in the World Baseball Classic in a melee that also involved fans.
The fights broke out after Canada’s Rene Tosoni was hit by a pitch from Arnold Leon with Canada leading 9-3 at Chase Field in Phoenix. It turned into a wild scene, as chaotic as any on a major league field in recent years.
Several police officers came onto the field trying to restore order, and there were a few skirmishes in the seats. Seven players were ejected.
• Carlos Santana homered, Robinson Cano had three hits and the Dominican Republic beat Spain 6-3 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• Yasmany Tomas hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning as Cuba routed Taiwan 14-0 in asecond-round game in Tokyo.
Jeter, Rivera finally make spring training debuts
Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera returned from injuries to make their 2013 spring training debuts in the New York Yankees’ 2-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves.
The 38-year-old Jeter was a designated hitter and singled sharply to left field on his first pitch since breaking his left ankle on Oct. 13 in the A.L. championship series opener. Jeter, who missed New York’s first 13 spring training games, grounded out to third base in his only other at-bat.
Hours after announcing this will be his final season, Rivera threw a 1-2-3 fifth inning.
Rivera almost a Mariner
In 1996, the New York Yankees were facing infield injuries. The team’s options were trading for a veteran player, or let a young Derek Jeter prove his worth.
The Seattle Mariners came calling with a proposal. It would have sent infielder Felix Fermin to the Yankees in return for Mariano Rivera or Bob Wickman.
“That was (close),” Cashman said of Rivera being moved. “Life of the Yankees could have changed drastically if a mistake is made there.”
Clearing the bases
Johan Santana will be headed to the disabled list after the New York Mets pushed back the schedule for their ace to make his spring training debut. … Texas starter Matt Harrison was scratched because of an inflamed toe on his left foot.