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Japan Ousts United States In WBC

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A Tribune wire report

Published: March 23, 2009

LOS ANGELES - Japan used a five-run fourth inning to beat the U.S. 9-4 and advance to the championship game of the World Baseball Classic against South Korea.

The Japanese team trailed 2-1 at Dodger Stadium before scoring five times against U.S. starting pitcher Roy Oswalt.

The U.S. scored two runs in the eighth to pull within 6-4 before Japan added three runs in the bottom of the inning after a throwing error by Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.

Marlins Combine To No-Hit Tigers

LAKELAND - If only this had been the regular season for Ricky Nolasco.
Nolasco combined on a no-hitter with relievers Dan Meyer and Leo Nunez, striking out eight over seven innings Sunday in the Florida Marlins' 2-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
Nolasco faced the minimum 21 batters, walking Ramon Santiago leading off the first and hitting Jeff Larish in the second. The runners were erased on double plays, and Marlins pitchers retired Detroit's next 22 batters.

BREWERS: Milwaukee expected to start the season without new closer Trevor Hoffman.

Hoffman strained his right oblique muscle while pitching against Kansas City on March 13 and hasn't thrown since. Manager Ken Macha said the team's training staff expects Hoffman will be out another week and he will need two bullpen sessions before facing hitters. That makes it unlikely Hoffman will be ready for the April 7 opener at San Francisco.

RANGERS: Andruw Jones could stick with Texas through spring training, even though he won't be a starter and there is no guarantee of him making the team.

During a meeting with General Manager Jon Daniels and Manager Ron Washington, the five-time All-Star said he'd be willing to remain with the Rangers as a backup outfielder and part-time designated hitter. Daniels said no decision has been made and the team will continue to discuss the situation.

WHITE SOX: Right-hander Gavin Floyd and the Chicago White Sox agreed to a $15.5 million, four-year contract, a deal that includes a club option for 2013.

The 26-year-old was 17-8 with a 3.84 ERA for the White Sox last year and is 25-18 in 73 games over parts of five big-league seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and White Sox.

Floyd had been set to make $520,000 this year under a one-year deal agreed to Feb. 25. He would have been eligible for arbitration after this season and for free agency following the 2012 season.

Chicago also traded minor-league catcher Chris Stewart to the New York Yankees for future considerations. The 27-year-old had been in the Yankees organization before signing a minor-league deal with the White Sox and hit .279 with two homers at Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre last season.

YANKEES: Catcher Jorge Posada threw out three of four runners attempting to steal second base in a minor-league game Sunday, a step forward in his recovery from right shoulder surgery last July 30.

CC Sabathia, the Yankees' expected Opening Day starter, allowed one run and seven hits over five innings for Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes-Barre against Indianapolis.

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