SAN DIEGO — The World Baseball Classic is heading to Hollywood, and what could be more marquee than Daisuke Matsuzaka against Jake Peavy at Dodger Stadium? That’s the expected pitching matchup for the second semifinal Sunday night in Los Angeles, when defending WBC champion Japan will face hobbled Team USA.
Japan earned that matchup — and an extra day of rest — by rallying for three runs in the eighth inning Thursday night to beat South Korea 6-2 and win Pool 1. Japan and South Korea had already clinched semifinal berths.
Korea, held to six hits by seven Japanese pitchers, will play Pool 2 winner Venezuela in the first semifinal Saturday.
• Evan Longoria has replaced third baseman Chipper Jones (muscle strain on side) on the U.S. roster.
Tejada could get probation
WASHINGTON — A federal prosecutor recommended Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada get probation and no prison time for misleading Congress about the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
U.S. attorney Jeffrey Taylor said in a memo to Magistrate Judge Alan Kay that Tejada deserves the reduced sentence because he has admitted wrongdoing, accepted responsibility and has no criminal record. Tejada is to be sentenced March 26.
Footnotes.
Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells is expected to return from a strained left hamstring and make his first spring training appearance this year today as a designated hitter.
• Mets catcher Brian Schneider is out indefinitely with a strained right calf.
• Braves right-hander Kenshin Kawakami was scratched from his scheduled spring training start because of arm fatigue. The Associated Press
