U.S. team prepares for second round

Derrek Lee and his U.S. teammates never discussed or envisioned a first-round scenario in which the Americans’ World Baseball Classic fate would be in the hands of another team.

After a serious scare, the talented roster of major leaguers suddenly has a much better grasp – not to mention appreciation – of the stakes in international play.

“I was really nervous,” said Lee, the Chicago Cubs slugger who homered, doubled and had four RBIs to help the United States advance to the next round with a 17-0 rout of South Africa on Friday at Scottsdale, Ariz. “You don’t want things out of your control.”

Now, they have a clean slate, comparable to the start of the playoffs in October when every team is on equal footing again after the September chase.

The Americans begin the second round today in Anaheim, Calif., against Japan, which went 2-1 in its initial group with a 3-2 loss to unbeaten South Korea. Mexico and South Korea are set to meet in the second game today at Angel Stadium.

The U.S. team took Saturday strictly as a travel day and didn’t schedule a workout in Anaheim like the other squads. The Americans should be well rested considering they needed only five innings and 1 hour, 47 minutes to eliminate South Africa with the mercy rule.

After a surprising 8-6 loss to Canada on Wednesday, a complicated system had the United States on the brink of elimination from the inaugural 16-nation tournament. But Mexico handily beat the Canadians – taking a big lead early – Thursday to boost the Americans’ hopes, then they went out and did their part a day later.

Mariners win, get soaked

Kenji Johjima went 3 for 5 with four RBIs to lead a split squad of Seattle Mariners to a 12-11 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Tucson, Ariz.

The Mariners trailed 8-3 after five innings and scored six times in the eighth inning against Diamondbacks reliever Brandon Lyon to take the lead.

Later, the first Phoenix-area rains in 143 days canceled the Mariners split squad’s game against Kansas City at the Peoria Sports Complex.

•Mariners reliever Julio Mateo left spring training after learning his older brother had died in an automobile accident in the Dominican Republic on Friday night.

“We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the Mateo family,” Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi said. “The thoughts and prayers of the entire Seattle organization are with Julio and his family as they deal with this tragic accident.”

No other details were immediately available of the death of Luis Manuel Mateo.

Mateo is entering his fourth full season with Seattle. He was 3-6 with a 3.06 ERA in a career-high 55 games last season. He has allowed five runs in two spring games this month.

Brocail has angioplasty

San Diego Padres reliever Doug Brocail underwent angioplasty at Sun City, Ariz.

The 38-year-old Brocail, who last pitched Wednesday, had complained of chest tightness that radiated into both arms. He already was being treated for an abscessed tooth and asthma.

Dr. Harry Albers ordered a stress test, which came back abnormal.

“We found a large abnormality on the front wall of the heart, a blockage,” Albers said. “He wasn’t getting significant blood to the heart under stress.”

Brocail was admitted to Boswell Memorial Hospital. Doctors found a 99 percent blockage of the left anterior descending artery, one of three coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart.

Clearing the bases

Boston ace Curt Schilling and New York Mets standout Pedro Martinez both had encouraging showings as they work their way back from injuries. Martinez threw 81 pitches off a mound during a bullpen session and walked away encouraged about the health of his right big toe, which has hampered him since last season. Schilling pitched three perfect innings before beaning Chris Duffy in the head to start the fourth in a 10-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, Fla. … The man who attacked Kansas City Royals coach Tom Gamboa during a game has been sentenced to almost five years in prison for a probation violation. Cook County Court Associate Judge Joseph M. Claps ruled Friday that William Ligue Jr. violated probation when he was charged in April 2004 with breaking into a car in suburban Harvey, Ill., and leading police on a brief chase. Claps increased Ligue’s sentence to 57 months in prison. Ligue was originally sentenced to 30 months of probation for two counts of aggravated battery in the September 2002 attack on Gamboa during a Chicago White Sox game. … First baseman Nick Johnson agreed to a $16.5 million, three-year contract extension with the Washington Nationals, a deal that ties him to the club through the 2009 season. Johnson hit .289 with 15 home runs, 35 doubles and 74 RBIs last season.