Showing posts tagged “Tug Hulett”

Revenge win clinches medal-round spot for USA Baseball

Mike Potter · 22 Sep 2009, 9:24 PM · Comment


usaalvare1Team USA took advantage of a balanced offense, avenging its only loss of the IBAF World Cup with a 6-3 win over Venezuela in Florence, Italy.

The result clinched for the Red, White and Blue a spot in the tournament’s medal round this weekend.

Pedro Alvarez (pictured) ripped his fourth homer of the tournament for the Americans, while Tug Hulett was 2-for-2 with a pair of runs and veteran Terry Tiffee added two RBI.

Trevor Plouffe extended his hitting streak to 10 games in the win.

Brad Lincoln (2-0) pitched 6 2/3 innings in the victory while Team USA’s fourth pitcher of the night, Geno Espinelli, picked up his first save.

Team USA is 4-0 in Round 3 because of a 3-0 record against Pool G qualifying opponents, and held a 2 1/2-game lead over Australia, Canada and Chinese Taipei following the win.

The next game is against Puerto Rico on Wednesday at 2 p.m. (EDT) in Florence.

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Chavez’ grand slam in 11th tops USA for Venezuelans

Mike Potter · 10 Sep 2009, 11:01 PM · Comment


usasmoakMaybe it’s not exactly the way the tiebreaker was supposed to work, but Venezuelan slugger Dirmo Chavez certainly made the best of his situation.

The Venezuelans’ leadoff hitter stroked a grand slam off Nate Field in the top of the 11th, giving his team a 13-9 win over the defending champion Team USA in their first game in pool play at the IBAF Baseball World Cup in Regensburg, Germany.

Justin Smoak (pictured) led Team USA with a huge night at the plate, going 4-for-6 with a pair of homers, two doubles and five RBI.

One of Smoak’s doubles tied the game in the 10th to force another extra inning.

Tug Hulett also homered for the USA, while Buck Coats tripled and doubled.

Starter Brad Lincoln gave up just one run in five innings, but it was a rough night for former Durham Bulls reliever Jason Childers who gave up five runs.

The Americans’ next game is on Friday at 1 p.m. against the host Germans (1-0) in a contest which has long been sold out. Todd Redmond is scheduled to start for the Red, White and Blue.

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USA Baseball holds on to top resurgent Canucks 7-4

Mike Potter · 4 Sep 2009, 9:48 PM · 1 Comment


usacoatsCOLEMAN FIELD/CARY It’s Game 2 of USA Baseball’s friendly series against Canada, as both teams prepare to play in the World Cup in The Netherlands, Italy in Germany later this month.

The clubs are made up entirely of minor-league pros, with the USA team completely of Triple-A and Double-A players while the Canadians are from every level including a couple of former pro pitchers who are currently without contracts.

The series should be competitive, as Team USA won the opener 6-4 on Thursday night after the visitors had taken an early 3-0 lead.

Two of the USA players were with the Durham Bulls just a few days ago. Jon Weber is playing left field and hitting third, while Jason Childers came out of the bullpen for a scoreless inning on Thursday.

It’s a mild night with no threat of rain out in one of the greenest parts of the Triangle. And it’s a happy alcohol-free crowd that will get a chance to watch “The Bad News Bears” after the early game.

Panera Bread has brought sustenance to the press box. Let’s play ball.

Team USA jumps on right-hander and former Giants organization farmhand Brooks McNiven for a three-spot in the first inning of a game the Americans eventually hold on to win 7-4.

Buck Coats (pictured) starts the rally with a one-out double to right. Weber then walks before Pedro Alvarez reaches on a fielder’s-choice ball to third to force Weber. Ike Davis walks before Justin Smoak hits a two-run single to center. Tug Hulett’s single to center makes it 3-0. Continue reading »

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USA Baseball starts exhibitions with a win over Canucks

Mike Potter · 3 Sep 2009, 11:51 PM · 1 Comment


bullchilUSA Baseball’s World Cup team got off to a good start, holding off Canada 6-4 in the first of a four-game exhibition series at Coleman Field in Cary.

Jason Castro led the way with two hits and two runs scored for the Red, White and Blue.

The hosts put up three runs in the second off Nick Bucci, as Tug Hulett smacked a two-run double and Buck Coats a sacrifice fly.

Canada tied it in the third on an RBI infield hit from Rene Tosoni and a two-run double from Shawn Brown, then went up 4-3 on an Adam Loewen single in the fourth.

The Americans responded with two runs in the fifth on a Terry Tiffee grounder and a Josh Kroeger single, and added their last run in the sixth on a double-play ball.

Lucas Harrell was the winning pitcher in relief, while former Durham Bulls Cedrick Bowers and Jason Childers (pictured) each fired a hitless relief inning.

Game 2 is tonight at 6:30, with Brad Lincoln on the hill for Team USA.

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