Phoenix – There will be no national embarrassment. The shame died nine minutes and 18 pitches into Thursday’s game. The United States avoided a humiliating first-round exit, their worst fear dissolving when Mexico ripped Canada’s Jeff Francis.
For the Americans to remain alive, they required either a Canadian win or Mexico to score at least three runs. Mexico eclipsed that threshold after six batters, triggering a relentless beating in a 9-1 victory at Chase Field.
Now all that stands between the United States and a clumsy walk into the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals is a battery of South African kids who have the unenviable task of facing Roger Clemens today at Scottsdale Stadium.
“I am supposed to remain neutral,” commissioner Bud Selig, considered the father of the WBC. “But I think you can tell from my mood how I feel.”
The Americans’ relief came early. Mexico stung Francis for four first-inning runs, all with two outs. It was painful for Francis, who relished the opportunity to represent his country after missing the 2004 Olympics to make his big- league debut with the Rockies.
He talked confidently Wednesday, pleased with his arm strength after preparing three weeks ahead of schedule this winter. Francis never had a chance against Mexico’s Esteban Loaiza, who threw five scoreless innings.
“It’s a very disappointing feeling,” Francis said. “The team put a lot of confidence in me. I would look forward to doing this again. We were proud to wear the red and white.”
With his fastball topping out at 85 mph and his slider betraying him, Francis allowed four consecutive first-inning doubles after plunking former Rockies teammate Vinny Castilla on the right arm. Erubiel Durazo, Geronimo Gil and Rockies catcher Miguel Ojeda all connected.
“I thought we were well-prepared, but maybe this was the wakeup call we needed,” USA manager Buck Martinez said. “It was a bad feeling, being in this position.”
New life has spawned a new strategy for the Americans. Rather than freely substituting position players to appease general managers, Martinez will stick with his starters longer and shuffle his lineup. In today’s game, he will use Alex Rodriguez at third and Chipper Jones at DH, while Derrek Lee and Chase Utley will replace Mark Teixeira and Michael Young on the right side of the infield.
“I told him I was ready to play nine innings,” Jones said. “It’s hard when you come out, because you are just starting to get your rhythm. It’s a tough situation for Buck because he’s made a lot of commitments to everybody. But we also have to do what’s best to win.”
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
