Posted at 11:24 a.m., Thursday, November 8, 2007
Baseball: LaRoche leads U.S. by Panama in World Cup
Advertiser Staff
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Andy LaRoche drove in four runs, Evan Longoria homered and the United States beat Panama 7-0 today at the 37th Baseball World Cup.Kansas City Royals prospect Matt Wright pitched three-hit ball for six innings, striking out five and walking none. The U.S. improved to 2-0 at the tournament and has not allowed a run.
Team USA, managed by Davey Johnson, plays Italy tomorrow.
LaRoche, a third-base prospect with the Los Angeles Dodgers, finished 3-for-4 with two doubles. He made his major league debut this season, hitting .226 with a homer, five doubles and 10 RBIs in 93 at-bats. He also drew 20 walks and had a solid .365 on-base percentage.
Longoria, a third baseman in Tampa Bay's system, was picked third overall in the June 2006 draft and is considered one of the top prospects in the minor leagues. He had two hits and two RBIs against Panama.
Longoria was the designated hitter for Team USA today, while LaRoche played third base. LaRoche's brother is Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche, and their father is former big league pitcher Dave LaRoche.
In other Group A play today, Italy routed Spain 11-1, host Taiwan defeated South Africa 16-1, and Japan beat Mexico 15-3.
In Group B, Canada cruised past Thailand 18-0, Korea shut out Venezuela 4-0, Cuba beat Germany 7-3, and Australia edged Holland 4-3.
