U.S. prepares for Puerto Rico in WBC
Barry Larkin will pinch hit as manager Saturday for the United States in the World Baseball Classic, and he said he’d be interested in a full-time job as a skipper.
“If I could get players like these guys, absolutely,” Larkin said Friday following the team’s workout in preparation for the start of round two in Miami.
Derek Jeter, Dustin Pedroia, Jimmy Rollins, David Wright, Chipper Jones and company will face Puerto Rico tonight. The surprising Netherlands will play Venezuela in the opening game.
Larkin will fill in for U.S. manager Davey Johnson, who is in St. Petersburg to attend the wedding of his stepson and is expected to rejoin the team Sunday.
“I’m excited, but this is Davey Johnson’s team,” said Larkin, a 12-time All-Star shortstop whose only managerial experience was with an Italian youth squad. “Davey has a game plan. I’m going to execute the game plan.”
That plan includes starting Jake Peavy, who struggled through his opening start last Saturday against Canada. The right-hander walked three and allowed two runs in three innings, throwing 58 pitches.
Starting for the Puerto Ricans will be right-hander Javier Vazquez, who combined with three relievers on a six-hit shutout in their opening game against Panama.
Missing from the field is the Dominican Republic, touted as a top contender to win the tournament. The Dominicans were eliminated when the Netherlands upset them twice in the first round.
“I was surprised when they beat them the first time,” Jeter said. “I was shocked when they beat them the second time.”
But the Americans know all too well how unpredictable the tournament can be. They were eliminated in the second round of the first WBC three years ago.
The absence of the Dominicans eases the U.S. team’s path to the finals at Dodger Stadium beginning next weekend. But first the Americans must deal with a Puerto Rican team that went 3-0 at home in the opening round, outscoring opponents 15-1 and batting .316.
Right-hander Carlos Silva of Venezuela will pitch against Netherlands right-hander Sidney Ponson in the opener.
Clearing the bases
A woman filed a complaint against former New York Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams for allegedly hitting her at a nightclub while she took his picture in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Williams denies any wrongdoing, according to his spokesman, Steve Fortunato. Police are investigating. … Outfielder Jay Gibbons was released by the Florida Marlins, a setback in his bid to revive his career after admitting he used human growth hormone.