WBC: U.S. wastes strong Stroman start as Miller blows lead against Dominican
MIAMI— Nelson Cruz hit a go-ahead, three-run homer off Andrew Miller in the eighth inning, Starling Marte added a solo shot off the all-star reliever and the defending champion Dominican Republic overcame a five-run deficit to beat the United States 7-5 Saturday night.
The comeback delighted a clamorous crowd of 37,446, the largest for baseball in the five-year history of Marlins Park.
The U.S. fell to 1-1 and is in jeopardy of being eliminated in the first round. The Americans, who play Canada on Sunday, failed to reach the three previous WBC finals.
The Dominicans improved to 10-0 in the past two Classics, including 2-0 this year. They can clinch first place in Pool C and advance to the second round by beating Colombia on Sunday.
Blue Jay Marcus Stroman started for the Americans and went 42⁄ 3 shutout innings, allowing three hits while striking out four. Toronto teammate Jose Bautista went 0 for 2 with a walk and scored a run for the Do- minicans.
Earlier, in WBC action in Guadalajara, Mexico, all-star catcher Salvador Perez injured his left knee in a homeplate collision with Drew Butera, his backup with the Kansas City Royals, and Venezuela rallied to beat Italy 11-10 on Martin Prado’s 10th-inning double.
Italy’s Butera stumbled into Perez to end the ninth inning with the score tied at 10. Butera appeared to try limiting contact with Perez but still fell into his left knee, and Perez struggled to put weight on the leg as he was helped off the field.
“Salvador has a loose knee and he’s going to go to the clinic for X-rays to see if everything is fine,” Venezuela manager Omar Vizquel said. “Right now, he’s a question mark for tomorrow’s game.”
The Venezuelans trailed 5-0 after four innings but stayed alive in the WBC, improving to 1-1 in Group D. Puerto Rico (1-0) is the group leader.