Colombia 000 020 000 0 2 5 0 USA 000 002 000 1 3 6 0
The United States had a successful start into the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Thanks to a walk-off RBI single by Adam Jones the team of manager Jim Leyland bested WBC Qualifier winner Colombia 3-2 in ten innings on Friday evening at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida.
Colombia, which had prevailed over France, Spain and Panama in Panama City in March of 2016, broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the fifth. Adrian Sanchez doubled home Jesus Valdez and then scored on a double by Mauricio Ramos. However it was only a short-lived lead as one frame later Adam Jones cut the deficit to a half with a RBI double and then a pitch got away from William Cuevas to allow Ian Kinsler racing home for the 2-2 tie.
In the bottom of the tenth a pair of one-out walks to Christian Yelich and Brandon Crawford turned the pressure up for the Colombian defense. A groundout by Kinsler advanced both runners into scoring position and with two outs Jones came through with a line drive to center field ending the game.
Both starting pitchers were locked into a stellar pitching duel early on. Chris Archer threw four perfect innings for Team USA. Carlos Quintana issued just one hit, a run and a walk in 5 2/3 strong innings for Colombia. Tyler Clippard picked up the win. Guillermo Moscoso took the loss.