Projo Sox Blog

MIAMI, FL -- Mercifully, the United States was put out of its misery against Puerto Rico just now, when a single by Mike Aviles put Puerto Rico over the 10-run mercy-rule limit and ended the game.

The Puerto Rican team came streaming onto the field and mobbed Aviles, ending an ugly game for the United States. Puerto Rico starter Javier Vasquez controlled the game for five innings, and the U.S. couldn't break through against the Puerto Rican bullpen, either.

Puerto Rico, on the other hand, laced single after single into the outfield against Jake Peavy. After two innings, Peavy was done, and Puerto Rico was up 6 to 0. Felipe Lopez and Carlos Beltran homered for Puerto Rico, whose crowd is still celebrating alongside the field.

"I'll take full responsibility for the loss tonight," Peavy said. "Tip your hat to Puerto Rico, they have a good team, but I certainly didn't make pitches."

World Baseball Classic rules stipulate that games with a score differential of over 10 runs in the seventh inning are ended by slaughter rule. That gap widens to 15 runs if it is the fifth inning or earlier.

The United States next plays tomorrow night against the Netherlands at 7:30 p.m. Puerto Rico takes on Venezuela on Monday night.

Boston's Kevin Youkilis went 0 for 3 tonight.

30,000 fans attended the game at Dolphin Stadium.

 Tags  Dan Barbarisi Jake Peavy Javier Vasquez Kevin Youkilis

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