World Beats USA 7-5 in Futures Game

tosoniMinnesota Twins prospect Rene Tosoni, born in Toronto, put the World up for good with an RBI double to the righfield gap in the 7th inning.  The White Sox Cuban prospect Dayan Viciedo then ripped an RBI double to make it, 7-5 World, which was where it ended.  That was a long way from where the game began, there was a four hour rain delay, which resulted in the World’s starting pitcher, Junichi Tazawa, not being able to throw because he’d stiffened up during the delay, after warming up.

Early on the World had a 3-0 lead, but the USA came fighting back.  The Rockies Eric Young, Jr. (son of former All Star Eric Young, Sr.) put USA on the board with a solo-shot and then an RBI single off the bat of Pirates first round pick Pedro Alvarez cut the World’s lead to 3-2.  The next inning Astros catching prospect Jason Castro ripped a three run blast over the rightfield wall to give the USA a 5-3 lead.

But it wasn’t to be, as the Brewers Brett Lawrie got the decisive inning going with a leadoff double, and Starlin Castro of the Cubs reached on an infield single to put runners on the corners.  A wild pitch allowed Lawrie to score and Castro to advance.  With one out, the Brewers Alcides Escobar sent a bouncer up the middle for an infield single, and A’s second baseman Jemile Weeks’ (Rickie’s brother) error helped Castro to score the tying run.  Then it was time for Tosini & Viciedo to take center stage.

In the bottom of the 7th J.C. Sulbaran of the Reds closed it out for a game shortened save.  The Astros right-hander Chia-Jen Lo, who had worked a scoreless sixth, was credited with the victory.  The win was the World’s 6th in 11 games played against the USA in the Futures All Star games.