Team USA’s pair of talented third basemen went a combined 5-for-8 with a home run and two doubles to defeat Panama 7-0 and improve to 2-0 in the World Cup. Team USA’s next game is against Italy (1-0) at noon in Taiwan (11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time).

Third baseman Andy LaRoche, one of the Dodgers’ top prospects, went 3-for-4 with two doubles. Evan Longoria (Devil Rays), who played third base in the team’s 3-0 win over Mexico in the opener, went 2-for-3 with a home run as the team’s designated hitter. While LaRoche and Longoria carried the offense, righthander Matt Wright (Royals) struck out five without allowing a walk through six shutout innings.

Team USA got on the board in the first inning and drove Panama starter Elpidio Pinto out of the game early. After Pinto retired Colby Rasmus (Cardinals) and Jayson Nix (Rockies) to start the game, LaRoche singled and Delwyn Young (Dodgers) drew a walk. Longoria’s single up the middle drove in LaRoche for the first run of the game before Pinto retired Steven Pearce (Pirates) to end the inning. [...] Continue Reading »

Righthander Jeff Karstens shut down Mexico in six scoreless innings of work to lead Team USA to a 3-0 victory over Mexico in the first games for both teams in the 2007 World Cup in Taiwan. Team USA plays Panama (1-0) today.

Team USA scored all three of its runs with two outs in the fifth inning. Mexico lefthander Hector Rodriguez, who had held Team USA scoreless until that point, hit right fielder Justin Ruggiano with a pitch. Catcher Jason Jaramillo followed with a single to right field before Rodriguez walked shortstop Brian Bixler to load the bases.

With center fielder Colby Rasmus at the plate, Rodriguez hurled a wild pitch, allowing Ruggiano to score the first run of the game. After Rasmus walked to reload the bases, second baseman Jayson Nix singled to right field, scoring Jaramillo and Bixler. [...] Continue Reading »

World Cup games this year will be broadcast live through a streaming feed online at http://www.stadeo.tv/?lang=en. The World Cup’s first scheduled game between host Taiwan and Italy was postponed due to rain. The tournament will now begin Wednesday, when Team USA plays its first game against Mexico. You can find a complete schedule of Stadeo TV’s broadcasts here.

To watch the game, download the plug-in from Stadeo TV’s web site, then watch the games. Once the games are over, stay tuned to BaseballAmerica.com for continuing World Cup coverage and analysis.

USA Baseball announced today that Reds outfielder Jay Bruce, Baseball America’s 2007 Minor League Player of the Year, will not be on the team’s World Cup roster

Devil Rays outfielder Justin Ruggiano will take Bruce’s spot on the team. The 25-year-old Ruggiano hit .309/.386/.502 for Triple-A Durham with 20 homers and 26 stolen bases in 2007.

The Americans made a couple of other roster changes as well. The team added 25-year-old righthander Matt Wright, who pitched for Triple-A Omaha (Royals) this season. Wright went 10-5, 4.06 in the Pacific Coast League, walking only 40 batters in 137 1/3 innings. Wright replaces lefthander Heath Phillips (White Sox) on the roster.

Lefthander Neal Musser, a reliever who split time between Omaha and Kansas City in 2007, will also join the USA team. In 55 1/3 Triple-A innings, Musser held down a 0.49 ERA, including a stretch of 42 2/3 innings without surrendering an earned run. He appeared in 24 2/3 innings for Kansas City, posting a 4.38 ERA.

“Due to unanticipated scheduling conflicts for both Heath Phillips and Jay Bruce they will be unable to participate on the 2007 USA Baseball World Cup Team" USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO Paul Seiler said in an e-mail. "Justin Ruggiano and Matt Wright have been added to fill the roster spots, and we are fortunate to have two such quality individuals available to join our team.”

Baseball Canada also released its 2007 World Cup roster, which features several younger talents, including six players who are 21 years old or younger. [...] Continue Reading »