While there will be no Classic final for the U.S. after it fell to Japan, 9-4, in the semifinal on Sunday, the Americans did pick up some valuable lessons about their foes along the way.
As he unpacked a large Team USA duffel bag on Tuesday, Jake Peavy spoke of his experience in the World Baseball Classic and said losing in the semifinals to Japan didn't take anything away from his involvement in the event.
There will be no Classic final for the U.S., which fell to Japan, 9-4, in the semifinal on Sunday. The Americans made a late rally in the eighth, but fell short.
Mark DeRosa worked out at first base on Saturday and will start at the position -- foreign to him -- at Dodger Stadium on Sunday night for Team USA in its single-elimination World Baseball Classic semifinal game against Japan.
The Urban Youth Academy has blossomed into one of the finest facilities in the country for youth in the inner cities, and it staged one of its biggest events on Saturday, when Team USA and Japan worked out there in preparation for their World Baseball Classic game on Sunday.
The list of Team USA's walking wounded seemed to decrease by two on Friday, when Ryan Braun and David Wright said they'd both be available for Sunday night's World Baseball Classic semifinal game against Japan at Dodger Stadium.
Team USA manager Davey Johnson announced Friday that he will go with starter Roy Oswalt against Daisuke Matsuzaka on Sunday, with Jake Peavy set to start the final if the Americans advance.
Evan Longoria has replaced Chipper Jones on Team USA's roster for the semifinal round of the World Baseball Classic that begins Saturday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
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