Touch 'Em All: Italy pounds Canada, 14-4, in WBC

Posted: March 10, 2013

Ordinarily, we at Touch 'Em All stay away from novelty sports like the World Baseball Classic, but when the Romans win their second game in a row - on a mercy ruling, no less - we have to write something.

Italy routed Canada, 14-4, Friday in Phoenix to improve to 2-0 in group play. The game was called after Italy scored five times in the eighth to make it a 10-run game. Italy takes on Team USA on Saturday.

The Italians are the reigning European champion, so it's hard to malign their victory - even if they did began as a 100-1 choice to win it all.

By the way, Italy's only other win in the classic came in 2009 . . . against Canada. Oh, Canada!

In other WBC action

Sho Tanaka drove in the winning run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th inning to lift defending champion Japan past Taiwan, 4-3. That's more like it.

Three Puerto Rico pitchers combined on a five-hitter in a 3-0 victory over Spain. Also more like it.

The Netherlands (33-1 odds to win it all) beat Cuba, 6-2. That's less like it.

Yankees creaking along

The Yankees are looking more and more banged up every day, with an assortment of ailments slowing them in spring training.

Alex Rodriguez is out until at least the all-star break, and recent injuries to outfielder Curtis Granderson and first baseman Mark Teixeira have sidelined them past opening day. Now reliever David Robertson has a sore shoulder after sleeping on it the wrong way.

No wonder their 3-10 spring training record is the worst in the AL.

- Wire and staff reports

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