Gregerson closes door on Team USA’s win over Venezuela
SAN DIEGO — Eric Hosmer’s two-run homer broke a tie in the eighth, and Astros reliever Luke Gregerson took care of the ninth as the United States beat Venezuela 4-2 on Wednesday night in the teams’ Pool F opener at the World Baseball Classic.
Gregerson struck out Hernan Perez to start the ninth. After walking Miguel Cabrera, Gregerson got Victor Martinez to ground into a gameending double play.
The Astros’ Alex Bregman started at shortstop for Team USA, collecting two singles and a walk in four plate appearances.
Japan moves on with Netherlands
Japan completed a 3-0 run in Pool E, defeating Israel 8-3 at Tokyo to advance to the WBC semifinals.
During a five-run sixth. Astros oufielder Nori Aoki drove in a run for Japan when he was hit by a pitch with the bases full. Aoki also doubled and scored a run.
The loss eliminated Israel (1-2) and gave the Netherlands (2-1) the other spot from Pool E in next week’s WBC semifinals in Los Angeles.
Pair convicted in smuggling case
A Miami jury convicted a Florida sports agent and a baseball trainer on charges they smuggled Cuban baseball players to the United States in search of big profits from professional free-agent contracts.
The verdict came after jurors heard about six weeks of testimony in the trial of Bartolo Hernandez and Julio Estrada, who were indicted on conspiracy and alien smuggling charges for an operation that began in 2009 and involved a number of highprofile major leaguers.
The jury deliberated only about five hours. Prosecutors said Hernandez faces between three and 15 years in prison, and Estrada — convicted of more smuggling counts — faces between five and 35 years behind bars. They also face forfeiture of more than $15.5 million, plus real estate, four Mercedes-Benz vehicles and contents of bank accounts.
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams set sentencing for July 11 and will allow both men to remain free on bail. Defense attorneys promised appeals.
Trial evidence showed an existing Cuban smuggling operation that brought people from the communist-run island to Mexico became the platform in 2009 for the much more lucrative trade in elite ballplayers. The players would be whisked from Cuba to Mexico or Haiti in a speedboat, sign papers claiming residency in their new country, and eventually be cleared to sign with MLB teams.