D-Lee Homers in WBC Opener

[weatherdood]

Full Article at http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news;_ylt=AjbXbQ4XUWHMPgvSHwKHsEk5nYcB?slug=ap-classic-mexico-us&prov=ap&type=lgns


United States 2, Mexico 0

By BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer
March 7, 2006

PHOENIX (AP) -- One after another, the American pitchers were untouchable. A pair of big blows provided all the help they needed.

Jake Peavy and a parade of relievers combined on a four-hitter against a lineup loaded with major leaguers Tuesday, leading the United States to a 2-0 victory over Mexico in its World Baseball Classic debut.

Home runs by Derrek Lee and Chipper Jones were all that was necessary on offense.

"Today I felt proud," Lee said. "I felt like the whole country was watching."

Lee hit a 1-1 pitch from starter Rodrigo Lopez over the right-field fence and Jones homered on the first pitch he saw in the tournament -- off Oscar Villarreal in the seventh.

[Southlake CubsFan]

good to see the americans start off with such great pitching, and some power with the bat

[Cubsfan97]

That home run was the happiest part of the game. Made me feel proud top be a Cub fan.

[Fukudome = God]

Micheal Barrett will be the starting catcher on Friday against South Africa, catching Roger Clements, for those interested.

But yeah, very good game for Lee. He had some trouble at 1st base, some of it was Utley's fault for some poor throws, but solid all-around game for Lee.

[Cubsfan97]

Hey Prior long time no see, where ya been?

[Southlake CubsFan]

USA lost to Canada...the candieans..blah 8-6..

[Dazed & Confused]

its a good thing that dlee, jr and varitek are actually playing for the usa. texeira, al leiter, this majewski guy and this holliday character just need to leave the team immediately. we'd be better off w/o them

[ndistops]

Micheal Barrett will be the starting catcher on Friday against South Africa, catching Roger Clements, for those interested.
So much for the theory that Barrett's not a good "pitcher's catcher". I'm not sure if Clemens actually chose him or not, but I'm sure that if he honestly didn't want Barrett catching him he would've asked for Varitek or Schneider.

[Fukudome = God]

Hey Prior long time no see, where ya been?

Still depressed that the White Sox are world champions.... lol


j/k

school work and the buffalo sabres playing amazing hockey kinda kept me away from baseball. But, the wbc got me right into it! lol

[burger eater]

So much for the theory that Barrett's not a good "pitcher's catcher". I'm not sure if Clemens actually chose him or not, but I'm sure that if he honestly didn't want Barrett catching him he would've asked for Varitek or Schneider.

Clemens was paired up with Barrett in a tournament where they have 3 pitchers and 3 catchers. It's not a theory. Barrett's not the most popular catcher on his own team. Z, Maddux & Prior have all made it known over the past couple years that they prefer the backup catcher.
I don't think Wood even knows the names of the Cubs' catchers, since he's worked with them so little.