The night belonged to Mexico as they routed Canada 9-1. Canada’s’ starter Jeff Francis was a deer in the headlights as a parade of Mexican batters pummeled him into submission, scoring 4 runs in the first, more than enough to allow Mexico to cruise to a victory and on to the next round of the World Baseball Classic. The night belonged to Esteban Loiaza who pitched like he was in mid-season form.

SO, with Mexico in, it’s all up to the USA. If Roger Clemens and Company win against winless South Africa, they move on to Anaheim. Canada must hope for a miracle to make the trip West.

More troubling news on the Sanyo HD-1, this from Gizmodo, calling the video from the camera “Disastrous.” Makes me that much happier with my JVC Everio. Still, the Sanyo intrigues me but for $800, it seems too much to risk to determine whether it’s a good videoblogging tool or a cool-looking paperweight.

From the official WBC Site:

POOL B SCENARIOS

Canada advances: • If it wins Thursday in its game against Mexico, finishing Pool play with a perfect 3-0 record. • If it loses Thursday against Mexico, but allows two runs or less.

Team USA advances: • If Canada defeats Mexico on Thursday, and USA defeats South Africa on Friday. • If Mexico defeats Canada and scores three or more runs, and USA defeats South Africa on Friday.

Mexico advances: • If it defeats Canada on Thursday. • If it loses to Canada, and USA loses to South Africa by seven or more runs.

Without a doubt, the best game atmosphere belongs to last night’s Mexico-South Africa contest. The game as never in doubt as Mexico pummeled South Africa 10-4. I think the fatigue factor is catching up with the young, totally game squad from South Africa.

 

The intimate setting at Scottsdale Stadium and the fact that the Mexican fans are so into the game made a great evening. Fans were decked out in all sorts of gear ranging from sombreros to face paint. Many were draped in Mexican flags and honked horns, blew whistles and made catcalls to the umpires and visiting players.

 

A few notable sightings: former Dodger and Padres star Ismael Valdez, a pitcher who was supposed to be on the Mexican team and Mike Britto, a baseball legend for the fact he was the one who discovered Fernando Valenzuela.

 

The games now get complex in that Mexico plays Canada today. A Canada win makes it easy; Canada moves on and if the US beats South Africa, the US moves on. If Mexico wins and the score is low, the US will probably be sent back to their Spring Training camps. If Mexico wins in a high scoring game…well, then all eyes will be on the US-South Africa game tomorrow.

Who on earth would have thunk it? The USA team took a beating from Canada, losing 8-6, and the came actually wasn’t that close. The USA team scored all of its runs in one inning, four of them coming on a Jason Varitek grand slam. Canada came out and pummeled the US pitching, sending Dontrelle Willis and Al Leiter to the showers. It took Huston Street to stop the bleeding and put up the first scoreless inning to give the US squad a chance to get back into the game. The US team came within a whisker of winning in the 8th when Chase Utley faced Phillies teammate Scott Mathieson with two men on and launched a rocket to dead center which fell a few feet short of winning the game. The loss gives Canada an automatic next round invite and puts the US and Mexico both a 1-2. Mexico plays Canada today and the US can lick its wounds one full day before playing South Africa on Friday in a must annihilate game. If Mexico beats Canada, all sorts of odd tiebreaker rules go into effect. Stay tuned.