ITA 000 300 01 4 6 0 NYM 000 401 0X 5 6 0
Italian Stats on FIBS.it
Mets Stats by NY Daily News
The Italian team had another warm-up game before the 2009 World Baseball Classic on Friday. In Port St. Lucie, Florida they faced the former team of their hitting coach Mike Piazza. A ‘B’-team of the New York Mets won 5-4 in eight innings on Field 7 of their Spring Field complex. That field is shaped like their new ballpark in Flushing Meadows Citi Field.
Originally superstar Johan Santana was scheduled to start for the Mets on Friday against Italy. However he felt pain in his elbow during a work-out early this week and had to skip his appearance. But still the National League squad brought Major League pitchers to the game. Mike Pelfrey (four strikeouts) started and stayed for two innings, while new closer Francisco Rodriguez relieved him in the third.
After three scoreless innings at the beginning of the match, Italy struck first. Mario Chiarini and Giuseppe Mazzanti got on base with a single and a walk against Eddie Kunz (W 1-0), before Alex Liddi hit a pitch over the center field fence for the 3-0 lead.
However in the bottom of the frame the Mets came back. They scored four runs to get up in front, highlighted by a three-run double by Cory Sullivan. A RBI triple in the sixth build up the lead. Italy was able to cut the deficit to a run in the eighth and last period on Mazzanti’s RBI single.
Carlos Richetti started and allowed one hit and a walk in two innings of work, striking out three. Roberto Corradini and Cody Cillo also had scoreless outings. Philip Barzilla (L 0-1) and Chris Copper combined to allow five runs on five hits and a walk in three innings of relief.
The Italian National team faces another ‘B’-team on Saturday in an unofficial game against the Washington Nationals in Viera, Florida. It will be their fourth exhibition.