Team USA crushes in final tune-up before World Baseball Classic

Team USA routed the Colorado Rockies 14-4 on Wednesday, March 4 in Arizona, the squad’s final exhibition game before officially beginning World Baseball Classic play on Friday in Houston.

Aaron Judge, Alex Bregman, Will Smith, Paul Goldschmidt and Byron Buxton all hit home runs for the Americans in a game started by Ryan Yarbrough, who gave up one run in three innings of work. Brice Turang added two RBIs off the bench and Pete Crow-Armstrong had two hits.

Team USA faces Brazil in the opener of Pool B play on Friday, their first of four group stage games. Pool B also includes Great Britain, Mexico and Italy.

Here’s how Wednesday’s game unfolded:

Paul Goldschmidt, Byron Buxton add home runs

Paul Goldschmidt and Byron Buxton each hit solo homers off the Rockies’ Connor Staine in the top of the eighth, extending Team USA’s lead to 12-4.

Team USA tacking on in the sixth

Paul Goldschmidt’s sacrifice fly scored Pete Crow-Armstrong to make it 7-4, then Byron Buxton hit an RBI single with two outs entering the game as a pinch-hitter for Kyle Schwarber. The Brewers’ Brice Turang followed with a two-run double to make it 10-4 before Colorado finally escaped the frame.

Will Smith home run makes it 6-4 to USA

World Series Game 7 hero Will Smith led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo homer off the Rockies’ RJ Petit, extending Team USA’s lead to 6-4.

Alex Bregman home run gives Team USA another lead

The newest Chicago Cub Alex Bregman hit a two-run homer off Gabriel Hughes in the top of the fifth inning to restore Team USA’s lead after coughing it up in the fourth.

Clayton Kershaw surrenders home run, Rockies go in front

Tanned, rested and ready, , the newly-retired Clayton Kershaw took over for Ryan Yarbrough, who tossed three innings. Kershaw promptly gave up a home run to Mickey Moniak, cutting Team USA’s lead to 3-2.

Kershaw was relieved by Rockies prospect Carson Skipper with a runner on second and two outs. Kyle Karros connected on a two-run homer against his organization-mate giving the Rockies a 4-3 lead.

Team USA scores two in the fourth

Pete Crow-Armstrong’s RBI single with two outs scored Alex Bregman to put the USA up 2-1 and then Ernie Clement scored on Rockies pitcher TJ Shook’s wild pitch to make it 3-1.

Rockies tie it up against Team USA

Pitching a second inning, Ryan Yarbrough gave up a one-out double to Braxton Fulford and a TJ Rumfield single. Kyle Karros hit a sacrifice fly to left to score Fulford and tie the game 1-1 through two innings.

Ryan Yarbrough tosses scoreless first

Opening the game for Team USA, left-hander Ryan Yarbrough set the Rockies down in order in the bottom of the first, striking out Jake McCarthy before getting a bunt groundout from Adael Amador and Mickey Moniak flew out to end the rame.

Aaron Judge home run gives USA an early lead

Rockies starter Kyle Freeland retired Bobby Witt Jr. and Bryce Harper to start the game, but Team USA captain Aaron Judge crushed a solo home run to left field to give the Americans a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

Team USA lineup today

Bobby Witt Jr., SS
Bryce Harper, 1B
Aaron Judge, RF
Kyle Schwarber, DH
Alex Bregman, 2B
Gunnar Henderson, 3B
Will Smith, C
Ernie Clement, LF
Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF

Paul Skenes: Pitching for Team USA ‘means more’

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Paul Skenes stood on the field Tuesday, standing at full attention during the national anthem, staring at the American flag on the scoreboard, watching and listening to the military fly-over, and trying to keep his emotions in check.

Here he was, less than four years from leaving the Air Force Academy, where he planned to be a pilot serving his country, pitching for Team USA, with his parents driving over from Southern California to see him in action.

“I was going in treating it as a spring training game a little bit,’’ Skenes said, “but it’s tough when you wear a USA across your chest. It means more.’

— Bob Nightengale

Rockies lineup today vs Team USA

Jake McCarthy (L) LF
Adael Amador (S) 2B
Mickey Moniak (L) CF
Jordan Beck (R) RF
Braxton Fulford (R) C
TJ Rumfield (L) 1B
Kyle Karros (R) 3B
Ryan Ritter (R) SS
Brett Sullivan (L) DH