The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
U.S. routs Puerto Rico to win first title
LOS ANGELES — The United States routed Puerto Rico 8-0 to win its first World Baseball Classic in four tries Wednesday night behind six hitless innings from Marcus Stroman. “It’s a different feeling when the USA is on your chest,”first baseman Eric Hosmer said.“We wanted to get the U.S. back on top of the baseball world, and we did that.” For a sport known as America’s pastime, the U.S. had struggled since the WBC began in 2006. Twice, the Americans lost in the second round, and they went out in the semifinals in 2009. After the final out, the Americans massed on the mound, hugging and high-fiving while fireworks exploded in center field. Some of them grabbed a U.S. flag and circled the warning track, waving it in celebration with fans in the stands. “There was only one thing on our mind, was to win this thing and to do whatever we can to win,” left fielder Christian Yelich said. “That helped us come together.” The U.S. pounded out 13 hits and finished with a 6-2 record while making the final for the first time in front of 51,565 at Dodger Stadium. Puerto Rico lost for the first time in eight games after outscoring the opposition 55-26. Tournament MVP Stroman avenged his shakiness in the Americans’ 6-5 loss to Puerto Rico during pool play. The righthander from the Toronto Blue Jays gave up one hit in six-plus innings, struck out three and walked one on 73 pitches. “I love pitching in these moments,” he said. “I love the atmosphere. I feel like the bigger the game, the more I’m able to get up, the more effective I am.”
Brook Lopez scored 19 points, K.J. McDaniels had a season-high 16, and Brooklyn beat Phoenix for its first two-game winning streak of the season. Trevor Booker added 14 points for the league-worst Nets, who beat Detroit on Tuesday. Devin Booker scored 28 points for the Suns.
DeMar DeRozan scored 40 points, marking the first time he’s had that many in consecutive games, and Toronto pulled off its 9th doubledigit comeback of the season. DeRozan scored 42 points against Chicago on Tuesday. Playing with 13 stitches in his right hand, Hassan Whiteside had 16 points and 14 rebounds for Miami. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 23 points, Kawhi Leonard added 19, and San Antonio beat Memphis in a possible first-round playoff preview. Mike Conley had 22 points and six assists for Memphis. Late Late
Kevin Durant wore a knee brace and tested his MCL sprain and bone bruise in team drills for the first time. “Did a little bit more today, went through some 5-on-0 stuff, some lateral movement,”coach Steve Kerr said.