28/07/2021 - 07/08/2021

 

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Dominican Republic, USA record first victories in Tokyo 2020 baseball tournament

Dominican Republic, USA record first victories in Tokyo 2020 baseball tournament
30/07/2021
Managers and players commented after the two games played on Day 3 of the Olympic baseball tournament.

The Dominican Republic and the United States earned their first wins in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic baseball tournament.

Former Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Melky Cabrera broke the tie with an RBI-single off Mexico starter Teddy Stankiewicz, as Dominican Republic won, 1-0.
Angel Sanchez earned the win going five innings and allowing two hits and a walk. Relievers Ramon Rosso, Dario Alvarez and Jumbo Diaz set things up for closer Luis Castillo, who pitched a perfect ninth for the save.

Another former MLB All-Star, outfielder José Bautista, became instrumental in the win. He caught Isaac Rodriguez trying to score the tying run in the top of the sixth, with a perfect strike to catcher Charlie Valerio.

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Cabrera praised his team's pitching and defence: "I think the key was our pitching and the fact that our team worked as a unit on defence. It was a little bit of me, too, at-bat, but again I think the key was pitching and defence."

Bautista talked about his key play in left field: "I was ready for the situation, I could anticipate the play a bit, and I was lucky the ball was hit hard, so it gave me the chance to make an accurate throw. I could make a good ball transfer from glove to hand, and thanks to our catcher, we could complete the out."

Starting pitcher Sanchez added: "We are a great group. This is a short tournament, so we have to work day after day to improve."

Mexico's manager Benji Gil commented: "It was an excellent game by both teams. Both teams had really good pitching. We’re satisfied with our pitching and hitting. We had some really good at-bats."

Gil added: "We just need to let the pitchers do what they do, and we need to create opportunities. We just didn’t get enough runners on base. Tomorrow we face Japan, and we know they are a very complete and balanced team."

Former MLB superstar Adrian Gonzalez analyzed the situation: "We lost a one-run game today. But if we win tomorrow by 2, we move to the next stage as the first-place team. So we control our own destiny, and that’s really what matters. Japan’s one-run win against the Dominican Republic shows that the three teams are at the same level. We’re very confident that tomorrow we’ll move forward."

The United States beat Israel, 8-1, behind solid pitching. Over six innings, starter Joe Ryan allowed one run on five hits, including a solo home run by Danny Valencia. Brandon Dickson, Anthony Carter and Ryan Ryder pitched three scoreless innings.
Tyler Austin, who plays for the Yokohama Bay Stars of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), had a 3-RBI night. He hit a two-run home run in the third off starter Joey Wagman and an RBI double in the seventh off reliever Shlomo Lipetz, the fifth of seven Israeli pitchers.

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Austin didn't hide his emotions after enjoying a great night in a stadium he is familiar with.
"It was a special moment for me. I can still feel my heart beating. I've had a lot of moments to remember during my career, but this was a very special night, to say the least."

Austin explained that the cart driving relievers from the bullpen to the field is also new to him.
"We have some things similar, but they made some changes for the Olympics. I'm happy it's used only for pitchers. I don't wanna get into that thing."

Austin added: "Playing on artificial turf was tough for many of my teammates. But that's the only difference from what they're used to."

Ryan said he was fully dedicated while on the mound.
"In the fifth, I looked up to the scoreboard, and I was surprised that we were this far into the game. I tried only to execute my pitches. I knew I have an excellent defence behind."

Ryan learned that he had been traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Minnesota Twins while dining: "I will think about that once I'm on the plane back home. I'm here to win with this team and I'm fully dedicated to that."

Manager Mike Scioscia spoke about the many roster changes he was forced to make ahead of the Olympics: "We did a lot of turnover. Some of the guys who were with us during the Qualifier went up to the Big Leagues and this is what you want. When you play a tournament like this with a 24-man roster, versatility is paramount. So, we looked for versatility and a big bat in the middle of the lineup such as Austin."

Scioscia spoke about Saturday's game against Korea.
"Korea is a terrific team, fundamentally sound. You have to play 27 outs against them, not allow anymore. They have some very good left-handed hitters, and we will need to make some good pitches. if you want to win at this level, you need to play exceptional baseball every day."

Danny Valencia commented: "The US have a deep team, so in the end, they got to us. It's a tough loss, but hopefully, we can group and come back together for the elimination game on Sunday."

Israel's manager Eric Holtz commented: "I think we did a pretty good job early in the game. We haven't seen a lot of pitchers with this velocity. Hopefully, tonight's game got the guys ready for what's to come."

Holtz had some words to say about relief pitcher Shlomo Lipetz.
"He's been involved with Israel Baseball since he was a child. He started to play baseball on soccer fields. This is a great experience for everybody, especially for him.

The 42-year old pitcher commented on his game.
"I cannot throw heat, I tried to do my best moving the ball around."

Israel announced that pitcher Jon Moscot won't play again in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.