An unbelievable start from Travis Blackley, 4RBI from Luke
Hughes and a grand slam from James Beresford saw Australia claim a vital
victory over China in game two of their World Baseball Classic campaign.
James Beresford made his big league debut in 2016, and
showed his big league talent on the world stage tonight, depositing the first
pitch of his at bat over the right field fence for a grand slam which slammed
the door shut for China.
Another man with big league talent is Travis Blackley. Blackley
threw 4.2 scoreless innings, only giving up two hits and giving Australia every
chance to succeed in a must-win game. Blackley’s efficiency was a highlight,
only tossing 48 pitches in an outstanding performance.
Perth Heat legend and MLBer Luke Hughes lit up the Tokyo
Dome with a two run home run in the third to open the scoring, and followed it
up with a double in the seventh, finishing with 2 hits and 4 RBI on the night.
Team Australia Manager Jon Deeble spoke about what it would
mean for Australia to make the second round.
“It’d mean the world to Australian baseball to make the
second round,” Deeble said.
“It’d be the biggest thing since winning silver at the 2004
Olympics. Blackley was super efficient tonight and we got everything out of
him. Our bats came alive and it’s really comforting we swung the bats well..”
After originally being left off the 28-man roster, utility
Trent D’Antonio showed he can match it on the biggest stage. The Sydney Blue
Sox stalwart lifted one into centrefield, which dropped just in front of Yang
and saw Harman and Kandilas score and D’Antonio slide into third safely,
extending Australia’s lead.
Australia’s final pool game of the World Baseball Classic
sees them take on world #5 Cuba. The first pitch of the ballgame will take
place at 12pm local (2pm AEDT). Make sure you tune in via ESPN Australia/NZ,
check your local guides.