Team USA Rallies Against Puerto Rico, Wins 6-5

USA (4-2) 6, Puerto Rico (4-2) 5
SP: Lilly (ND) - 3.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 62-36 pitches-strikes
WP: Broxton (W, 1-0) - 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 29-16
LP: Romero (L, 0-1) - 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 23-14

Down two heading into the bottom of the ninth inning and facing elimination, Team USA mounted a three-run rally to top Puerto Rico, 6-5, and advance to the WBC semifinals in Los Angeles. The comeback was capped by David Wright's 2-run single down the right field line, scoring Brian Roberts and Jimmy Rollins. Kevin Youkilis contributed as well, walking home the tying run one batter earlier, and hitting a solo homerun in the 3rd inning. Ted Lilly was solid for the U.S. in the start, allowing only two hits and three runs in 3.1 innings. Relief pitcher Jonathan Broxton got the win for the U.S., allowing one run in the top of the ninth.

Box Score/Gameday - http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2009_03_17_purint_usaint_1
Recap - http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090317&content_id=4007230&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Team USA scoring:

• 2nd Inning - 2 runs: Brian McCann's RBI sac fly scored David Wright; Shane Victorino's RBI single scored Mark DeRosa
• 3rd Inning - 1 run: Kevin Youkilis hit a solo HR (3)
• 9th Inning - 3 runs: Youkilis' walks with the bases loaded to score Victorino; Wright's 2-run single scores Brian Roberts and Jimmy Rollins

Manager Davey Johnson's Post-game Quotes:
On the game: "It was a heck of a ballgame; had a lead, lost it. Pitching was pretty good. You know, it was just one of those games that you thought anybody could win it. Youkilis got a great at bat and then David got a great hit. In March for that kind of excitement is really special."

3B David Wright's Post-game Quotes:
On where the win ranks: "That's right up there at the top. I mean, you're talking about representing the United States of America. You have that across the front of your chest. You're representing a nation, and to come, be able to get that hit, that's got to be right up there at the top of the list."

Notes: OF Ryan Braun was held out of action again on Tuesday (right back strain) and will be re-evaluated Wednesday...the announced attendance for Tuesday's Puerto Rico/USA game was 13,224...the U.S. will next face Venezuela on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET to determine pool seeding for the semifinals in Los Angeles.