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WBC Game Chat: Australia vs. Italy, 5 pm PT
2006-03-07 16:00
by Bob Timmermann

Live from Lake Buena Vista, Florida! This will only be on ESPN Deportes at 11 pm PT

Ahh, when these two nations get together to duke it out, you can expect... something. There aren't a lot of sports where these nations compete against each other directly although both made the FIFA World Cup this summer in Germany. This game is likely the only one that either team has a chance to win as they are stuck in Group D with Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.

Italy's manager Matt Galante will start Jason Grilli of Detroit. Australia manager Jon Deeble will start John Stephens.

Italy was able to fill its rosters with a few, for lack of a better word, ringers in Mike Piazza, Frank Menechino, and Frank Catalanotto. John Smoltz declined a spot for Italy as did David Delluci, but not Dustin Delucchi.

Australia has Justin Huber and Trent Durrington to lead the offense. And Dave Nilsson is back!

L'Italia al debutto contro l'Australia

The Aussies are upset over some of the ringers on the Italian team. They should be more upset that they are in the same group as the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

Final Score Italy 10, Australia 0, 7 innings, mercy rule

WP - Jason Grilli
LP - John Stephens

HRs - Mark Saccommano, Vince Sinisi
Italy also had four doubles and two triples and scored in six of the seven innings.
Australia was limited to just one hit, a double by Trent Durrington.

Italy plays Venezuela Wednesday at 4 pm PT. Australia's next game will be Thursday at 5 pm PT against Venezuela.

Comments
2006-03-07 17:16:48
1.   Bob Timmermann
There are two pitchers on the Italian roster that MLB.com doesn't know which arm they throw with.
2006-03-07 17:46:25
2.   Bob Timmermann
Italy off to a 3-0 lead in the second and the Aussies have already made two errors.
2006-03-07 17:48:40
3.   Robert Daeley
My favorite story about the Italian team this year was IIRC their asking Mike Mussina to be on their team -- and subsequently finding out his name was of Slavic origin. :)
2006-03-07 18:16:54
4.   Bob Timmermann
Yet John Smoltz would have qualified to be on the Italian team.

Smoltz!

2006-03-07 18:22:53
5.   Daniel Zappala
Well, maybe his mother is a Zappala.
2006-03-07 18:25:07
6.   Bob Timmermann
Italy looks like it wants to get a mercy rule win in this one. Australia seems to have a lot of problems with the little things. Such as pitching and fielding and hitting.
2006-03-07 19:11:46
7.   Doug N
So I'm waching the MLB.tv live video cast of the game. It's a raw feed though, because ESPN will be replaying it late tonight. This means that during the breaks where commercials will go, I get the broadcast booth, and it is funny! They fight and talk trash and admit to not knowing who is playing where. It's hilarious. Check it out...
2006-03-07 19:14:20
8.   Bob Timmermann
Just one run from the mercy rule!
2006-03-07 19:18:53
9.   Bob Timmermann
The mercy runner has reached base.
2006-03-07 19:28:52
10.   Bob Timmermann
MERCY!
2006-03-07 19:41:19
11.   King of the Hobos
If Italy can force the mercy rule, then the Dominican Republic should be a lot of fun
2006-03-08 08:06:18
12.   Robert Daeley
How early of an inning can the mercy rule take effect? If someone racks up 10 runs in the 1st inning, does it kick in?

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