But
it would seem that Mexico made up for its shocking loss to Team Italy on
Thursday with their 5-2 victory over the U.S. national team.
REGARDLESS
OF WHAT one thinks of the geopolitical situation or whom they were rooting for,
that was one heck of a home run blast by Adrian Gonzalez (who will be trying to
lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a National League championship this year once
the World Baseball Classic is complete) that drove in what turned out to be the game-winning runs.
And
seeing relief pitcher Sergio Romo (normally of the rival San Francisco Giants)
manage to come in and preserve a 9th inning lead enabling Mexico to
win was intriguing.
Particularly
when during the upcoming season there is bound to be a moment when Romo will
have to pitch against Gonzalez – perhaps even in a key situation. Will they
remember back to Friday when both were on the same side?
I
do have to admit one thing.
DESPITE
MY INTEREST in the Mexico national team and my rooting interest in Los Tricolores to do well in the
tourney, the more intriguing ballgame on Friday was Team Italy’s 14-4 victory
over Team Canada.
I’m
not making that score up. It was a blowout. An even bigger shock than Italy
managing to defeat Mexico.
Which
makes it likely that the ballclub everybody figured would lose three games and
get knocked out of the tourney will actually advance to the next round.
All
of which places more pressure on Mexico, since of the group only two of the
four national teams advance. If Italy takes one of those slots, it makes it all
the more possible that Mexico won’t.
WHICH
WOULD BE a significant sporting disappointment.
Unless
it turns out that both Italy and Mexico advance – which would be a blow to the
baseball fans of the U.S. who will be unable to fathom such a possibility!
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