Team USA got its second straight solid start and cruised to another victory in the Arizona Fall League, defeating the Grand Canyon Rafters 9-2.
Righthander Ryan Madson (Phillies) pitched four shutout innings and was backed by another robust offensive performance, this time led by trio of home runs. Shortstop J.J. Hardy (Brewers) and Ernie Young (Tigers), who hit a grand slam, joined third baseman Justin Leone (Mariners), who started the scoring with a solo shot in the third.
Team USA added four runs in the fourth inning to break it open, with Gabe Gross driving in the first run with a triple. Joe Mauer (Twins), the Minor League Player of the Year, drove home Gross to make it 3-0, and Hardy homered off righthander Boof Bonser (Giants) to end the rally with Team USA on top 5-0.
After Grand Canyon had closed to within 5-2 with a pair of runs (one earned) off lefthander Andy Pratt (Braves), Young put the game away with his slam in the sixth inning off Pat Neshek (Twins). Young was playing first base and went 2-for-2 with four RBIs after replacing Graham Koonce (Athletics), who went 0-for-2 after having five hits in Team USA's first two games.
Hardy and left fielder Terrmel Sledge (Expos) also had two hits apiece for Team USA, which had 10 hits overall.
Madson, who went 12-8, 3.50 for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre during the season, allowed just two hits in four scoreless innings, striking out two while walking none. Relievers John Grabow (Pirates) and Brian Bruney (Diamondbacks) gave up three hits while pitching a scoreless inning apiece.
Team USA next takes on the Mesa Desert Dogs on Tuesday. Righthander J.D. Durbin (Twins), who threw 182 innings between high Class A Fort Myers and Double-A New Britain, will get the start for Team USA.
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Team USA got its second straight solid start and cruised to another victory in the Arizona Fall League, defeating the Grand Canyon Rafters 9-2.
Righthander Ryan Madson (Phillies) pitched four shutout innings and was backed by another robust offensive performance, this time led by trio of home runs. Shortstop J.J. Hardy (Brewers) and Ernie Young (Tigers), who hit a grand slam, joined third baseman Justin Leone (Mariners), who started the scoring with a solo shot in the third.
Team USA added four runs in the fourth inning to break it open, with Gabe Gross driving in the first run with a triple. Joe Mauer (Twins), the Minor League Player of the Year, drove home Gross to make it 3-0, and Hardy homered off righthander Boof Bonser (Giants) to end the rally with Team USA on top 5-0.
After Grand Canyon had closed to within 5-2 with a pair of runs (one earned) off lefthander Andy Pratt (Braves), Young put the game away with his slam in the sixth inning off Pat Neshek (Twins). Young was playing first base and went 2-for-2 with four RBIs after replacing Graham Koonce (Athletics), who went 0-for-2 after having five hits in Team USA's first two games.
Hardy and left fielder Terrmel Sledge (Expos) also had two hits apiece for Team USA, which had 10 hits overall.
Madson, who went 12-8, 3.50 for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre during the season, allowed just two hits in four scoreless innings, striking out two while walking none. Relievers John Grabow (Pirates) and Brian Bruney (Diamondbacks) gave up three hits while pitching a scoreless inning apiece.
Team USA next takes on the Mesa Desert Dogs on Tuesday. Righthander J.D. Durbin (Twins), who threw 182 innings between high Class A Fort Myers and Double-A New Britain, will get the start for Team USA.