#ClutchWBC17 Clásico Mundial de Béisbol 2017-Resumen de la exquisita 1era Ronda y disfruta la extensa galería de fotos

Clásico Mundial de Béisbol 2017-Primera Ronda

Por Daniel “Mr. Clutch” Mercado Castro

            Y comenzamos la 4ta edición del Clásico Mundial de Béisbol con una gran sorpresa. La escuadra de Israel, la cual fue la ultima en cualificar para este evento, ganó invicto (3-0) el Pool A en Seoul. Israel venció 2-1 a Korea (1-2) en 10 entradas gracias a un infield hit de Scotty Burcham. Jason Marquis lanzó solidas 3 entradas como abridor de Israel. Zeid se apuntó el triunfo y C. Lim cargó con la derrota. Israel luego dominó 15-7 a Chinese Taipei (0-3) conectando 20 hits. N. Freiman sacó bambinazo y se fue de 6-3 con 3 anotadas y 4 remolcadas. El receptor Lavarnway también sacó bambinazo por Israel. C. Baker se apuntó el triunfo y C. Kuo cargó con la derrota. Israel cerró con una victoria 4-2 sobre Netherlands (2-1) para asegurar su pase a la segunda ronda. Israel usó 9 lanzadores, incluyendo a Marquis, quien ganó el juego mientras Zeid se adjudicó el salvado y Cordemans cargó con la derrota. Freiman y Lavarnway fueron los responsables de las 3 carreras que entraron en la 1era entrada. Profar se fue de 3-3 con dos dobles por Netherlands. Precisamente Netherlands fue el otro equipo que pasó a 2da ronda al blanquear 5-0 a Korea con solidas 4 entradas del victorioso Rick VandenHurk y un cuadrangular de Profar. Netherlands dejó en el terreno 6-5 a Chinese Taipei con base por bola con las bases llenas a Profar. Didi Gregorius se fue de 4-3 con 2 anotadas, 3 remolcadas y 3 dobles. La única victoria de Korea fue 11-8 en 10 entradas ante Chinese Taipei gracias a bambinazo de dos carreras de Tae Kyun Kim. Korea bateo 18 hits en el juego. S. Oh se apuntó el triunfo por Korea.

            El Pool B fue dominado por los dos veces campeones del WBC. Japón (3-0) arrancó en Tokyo con victoria 11-6 sobre Cuba (2-1) gracias a bambinazos de Tsutsugo y Matsuda en combinación con 4 solidas entradas de Ishikawa. Despaigne sacó bambinazo por Cuba. Japón luego derrotó 4-1 a la escuadra de Australia (1-2) gracias a cruciales bambinazos de Nakata y Tsutsugoh. Senga se apuntó el triunfo sobre M. Williams y Makita cargó con el salvado. Japón cierra con fácil victoria 7-1 sobre China (0-3) gracias a bambinazos de Seiji Kobayashi y Sho Nakata. Takeda se apuntó el triunfo sobre Gan. Cuba será la pareja de Japón rumbo a la 2da ronda al blanquear y dejar en un solo hit a China. Cuba ganó 6-0 con joya monticular de V. Baños combinada con la ofensiva del trío R. Santos, Ayala y Gracial. Cuba vence 4-3 a la escuadra de Australia gracias a un gran slam homerun de Alfredo Despaigne. Australia se apuntó su única victoria por KO, 11-0, ante China en 8 entradas gracias a grand slam homerun de James Beresford junto a cuadrangular con 4 remolcadas de Luke Hughes.

            El Pool C en Miami lo ganó los campeones defensores de República Dominicana (3-0) de manera invicta. Dominicana arrancó con victoria 9-2 sobre Canadá (0-3) gracias a 4 entradas solidas de Carlos Martínez para vencer a Ryan Dempster y cuadrangulares de la dupla Welington Castillo & José Bautista. José Reyes bateo 3 hits. Dominicana luego venció del buche 7-5 a USA (2-1) gracias a cuadrangular de tres carreras en la 8va entrada de Nelson Cruz. USA estuvo ganando 5-0 gracias a 4.2 entradas imparables de Marcus Stroman. Pero Dominicana anotó 4 en la 8va ante Andrew Miller, incluyendo el palote de Cruz, para vencerlos. Manny Machado y Starling Marte sacaron bambinazos por Dominicana. 37,446 fue la asistencia para este juego en el Marlins Park. Dominicana cerró su 1era ronda con victoria 10-3 sobre Colombia (1-2) en un juego cerrado que se fue a 11 entradas. Los Dominicanos anotaron 7 carreras en la 11 gracias a sencillo remolcador de Welington Castillo y doble de tres carreras de Jean Segura. Jorge Alfaro fue quien empató el juego 3-3 con bambinazo por Colombia. USA llegó 2do en el Pool al vencer 3-2 a Colombia en 10 entradas gracias a un “walk-off single” de Adam Jones. USA tuvo que venir de abajo 2-0 para vencer a la sorpresiva escuadra de Colombia. USA blanqueó 8-0 a Canadá gracias a 4 entradas con 7 ponches de Danny Duffy para vencer a Dempster. Nolan Arenado y Buster Posey sacaron bambinazos por USA mientras que Hosmer se fue de 5-2 con 2 dobles y 2 remolcadas. La única victoria de Colombia fue 4-1 a Canadá gracias a Donovan Solano con un sencillo remolcador de dos carreras y solidas 5 entradas de Teheran.

            Puerto Rico (3-0) ganó de manera invicta el Pool D en Jalisco, México. Puerto Rico arrancó con un KO de 11-0 a Venezuela (2-2) en 7 entradas, dejándolos en solo 3 hits. Seth Lugo lanzó 5.1 entradas, ponchando a 3, para vencer a Félix Hernández y los Boricuas anotaron 6 carreras en la 7ma entrada para ponerle fin al encuentro. Carlos Correa, TJ Rivera y Yadier Molina sacaron bambinazos por Puerto Rico. Eddie Rosario se fue de 4-3 con 2 anotadas y 2 remolcadas. Puerto Rico luego venció 9-4 a México (1-2) con claves 4 carreras en la parte alta de la 9na entrada. Francisco Lindor sacó dos bambinazos, remolcando 3 carreras mientras que Javier Báez sacó bambinazo y también remolcó 3 carreras. Carlos Beltrán se fue de 4-3. Jorge López lanzó 4.1 entradas para apuntarse el triunfo sobre M. González. Puerto Rico cerró su 1era ronda venciendo 9-3 a Italia (1-3) con cuadrangular de Carlos Correa y un Enrique “Kike” Hernández bateando de 4-3 con 2 remolcadas. José Berríos se apuntó el triunfo al ponchar 6 en 3 entradas. Andreoli y Butera sacaron bambinazos por Italia. Luego de una confusa decisión y un juego adicional, Venezuela llegó 2do en el Pool y pasó a la próxima ronda. Venezuela venció 4-3 a Italia en un juego decisivo, luego de que supuestamente México era el rival de Italia; pero un reversaso de los organizadores del WBC en horas de la madrugada bajo de la guagua a México y subió a Venezuela. Venezuela anotó 3 carreras en la 9na entrada para ganar, incluyendo bambinazo de Miguel Cabrera y sencillo remolcador de Rougned Odor. Andreoli sacó su 3er bambinazo de la serie por Italia mientras que Liddi sacó su 2do. Venezuela venía de caer 11-9 ante México la noche antes. Quiroz y Laird sacaron bambinazos por México mientras que Víctor Martínez sacó uno por Venezuela. Venezuela derrotó 11-10 en 10 entradas a Italia gracias a un doble de oro de Martin Prado. Prado se fue de 5-5 con 3 remolcadas. Liddi y Nimmo sacaron bambinazos por Italia. Salvador Pérez, quien sacó bambinazo por Venezuela, se lastimó una rodilla, quedando fuera del torneo, al chocar en el plato con Butera, su suplente en los Royals. La única victoria de Italia en el Estadio Charros de Jalisco en México fue cuando derrotaron a los nenes de la casa 10-9. Italia anotó 5 carreras en la 9na entrada gracias a doble de 2 carreras de Alex Liddi, sencillo remolcador de 2 carreras de John Andreoli y sencillo remolcador de Brandon Nimmo. Andreoli, Segedin, Colabello y Butera sacaron bambinazos por Italia mientras que Quiroz y Amador hicieron los propio por México. Pool E será en Tokio y Pool F en San Diego.

#ClutchNBA: LeBron James (East) y Russell Westbrook (West) los Jugadores del Mes (Febrero) en la NBA

CLEVELAND’S JAMES AND OKLAHOMA CITY’S WESTBROOK
NAMED KIA NBA PLAYERS OF THE MONTH

NEW YORK, March 2, 2017 – The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in February. 

The Cavaliers were 9-1 with James in the lineup in February (9-2 overall) as the 32-year-old forward averaged 25.9 points (third in the East), 10.6 assists (second in the East) and 7.2 rebounds.  He shot 63.7 percent from the field (second in the conference) and 56.8 percent from three-point range (fourth in the conference), his highest percentages for any month this season.  James scored at least 20 points in eight of his 10 games and dished out 10 or more assists six times on his way to averaging the most assists for any month in his 14-year career.  During a 111-104 victory against the New York Knicks on Feb. 4, James became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 28,000 points. 

Westbrook averaged a triple-double of 33.4 points (first in the NBA), 11.0 rebounds (tied for fifth in the West) and 10.0 assists (fifth in the NBA) as the Thunder went 7-4 for the month, including wins over the Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz.  The 28-year-old guard posted six triple-doubles to improve his league-leading total to 30.  Oscar Robertson (41 in 1961-62) and Wilt Chamberlain (31 in 1967-68) are the only players to record more triple-doubles in a season than Westbrook, who leads all active players with 67 for his career.  In a 110-93 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 24, Westbrook became the third player in the last 40 years to tally at least 17 points, 17 rebounds and 17 assists in a game, joining Magic Johnson (1989) and Rajon Rondo (2012).

Here is a closer look at February for James and Westbrook:  

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Feb. 6 @ Washington: Dished out a career-high 17 assists and scored 32 points in a 140-135 overtime victory against the Wizards.

Feb. 11 vs. Denver: Tallied 27 points, 12 assists and five rebounds in a 125-109 win over the Nuggets.

Feb. 23 vs. New York: Recorded a triple-double with 18 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds in a 119-104 win over the Knicks.  

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Feb. 3 vs. Memphis: Finished with 38 points (17-of-17 free throws), 13 rebounds and 12 assists in a 114-102 win over the Grizzlies.

Feb. 9 vs. Cleveland: Posted 29 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists and four steals in a 118-109 victory against the Cavaliers.   

Feb. 28 vs. Utah: Made six three-pointers and finished with 43 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in a 109-106 win over the Jazz.  

Other nominees for the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Boston’s Isaiah Thomas, Golden State’s Klay Thompson, Houston’s James Harden, the LA Clippers’ Blake Griffin, Miami’s Goran Dragic, Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns, Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan, Utah’s Gordon Hayward and Washington’s John Wall.  

PHILADELPHIA’S SARIC AND DALLAS’ FERRELL
NAMED KIA NBA ROOKIES OF THE MONTH

NEW YORK, March 2, 2017 – The Philadelphia 76ers’ Dario Saric and the Dallas Mavericks’ Yogi Ferrell today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in February.

Saric, the 12^th pick in NBA Draft 2014 presented by State Farm, led all rookies in scoring (17.0 ppg) and ranked second in rebounding (7.9 rpg) for the month.  Among Eastern Conference rookies, he was first in minutes (30.1 mpg), tied for second in steals (1.0 spg) and third in assists (2.8 apg).  The 22-year-old forward from Croatia scored in double figures in 11 of 12 games during February, including five appearances with at least 20 points.  Saric recorded four straight point-rebound double-doubles from Feb. 13-25, capped by a 19-point, 15-rebound, five-assist performance in a 110-109 loss to the New York Knicks on Feb. 25.           

Ferrell, who was not selected in NBA Draft 2016 presented by State Farm, paced all Western Conference rookies in scoring (12.0 ppg), assists (4.7 apg) and minutes (31.5 mpg) in February.  He led all rookies in three-pointers made (21).  The 23-year-old guard was playing on a 10-day contract when he equaled an NBA rookie record with nine three-pointers on his way to scoring 32 points in Dallas’ 108-104 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Feb. 3.  Four days later, the Mavericks signed him to a multiyear contract.  Before joining Dallas, Ferrell played 10 games with the Brooklyn Nets and 18 games with the NBA Development League’s Long Island Nets.      

Here is a recap of February for Saric and Ferrell:

Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers

Feb. 9 @ Orlando: Scored a career-high 26 points and added eight rebounds and three steals in a 112-111 win over the Magic.

Feb. 13 @ Charlotte: Posted 18 points, 11 rebounds and three assists in a 105-99 win over the Hornets.
Feb. 24 vs. Washington: Registered 20 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in a 120-112 victory against the Wizards.

Yogi Ferrell, Dallas Mavericks

Feb. 3 @ Portland: Made 9-of-11 three-point attempts en route to 32 points and added five assists in a 108-104 victory against the Trail Blazers.

Feb. 9 vs. Utah: Contributed nine points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals in a 112-105 overtime win over the Jazz. 

Feb. 13 vs. Boston: Scored 20 points and handed out five assists in a 111-98 loss to the Celtics. 

Other nominees for the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Boston’s Jaylen Brown, Denver’s Jamal Murray, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Brandon Ingram, Miami’s Rodney McGruder, Milwaukee’s Malcolm Brogdon, New York’s Willy Hernangomez and Phoenix’s Marquese Chriss.

MIAMI’S SPOELSTRA AND SAN ANTONIO’S POPOVICH
NAMED NBA COACHES OF THE MONTH

NEW YORK, March 1, 2017 – The Miami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra and the San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in February.  

Spoelstra led the Heat to an 8-3 record, the second-best mark in the Eastern Conference, as Miami played only four games at home (3-1) and seven on the road (5-2).  Miami won its first five games in February to extend its winning streak to 13, the longest in the NBA this season and the third-longest in franchise history.  The Heat also won three of its final four games of the month, with each victory coming against a team currently in position to make the playoffs (Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers).  For the month, Miami ranked third in the East in scoring (110.3 ppg) and second in points allowed (101.6 ppg). 

Popovich guided the Spurs to a Western Conference-best 8-2 record in February, going 6-2 on the road and 2-0 at home.  San Antonio closed the month with four consecutive victories, all on the road.  When the Spurs defeated the Denver Nuggets 121-97 on Feb. 4, Popovich recorded his 1,128^th victory as San Antonio head coach and passed former Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan for the most wins with one franchise in NBA history.  With a 110-106 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Feb. 13, the Spurs set an NBA record by clinching their 20^th straight winning season.

Other nominees for the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month were Boston’s Brad Stevens, Cleveland’s Tyronn Lue, Detroit’s Stan Van Gundy, Golden State’s Steve Kerr, Houston’s Mike D’Antoni, Memphis’ David Fizdale, Oklahoma City’s Billy Donovan, Utah’s Quin Snyder and Washington’s Scott Brooks.

#ClutchNBA Kemba Walker (East) y Kawhi Leonad (West) los Jugadores de la Semana (Feb. 28 to Mar. 4) en la NBA

CHARLOTTE’S WALKER AND SAN ANTONIO’S LEONARD NAMED NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

NEW YORK, March 6, 2017 – The Charlotte Hornets’ Kemba Walker and the San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Feb. 27 through Sunday, March 5.

Walker averaged 27.7 points (third in the East), 6.3 assists (tied for fifth in the East), 4.3 rebounds and 1.33 steals for the week as the Hornets went 2-1.  The All-Star guard opened the week by recording 30 points, seven assists and five rebounds and hitting the go-ahead three-pointer with 1:55 to play in a 109-104 victory at the Los Angeles Lakers.  On March 4, he scored a team-high 27 points and added four assists, four rebounds and two steals in a 112-102 road win over the Denver Nuggets.  

Leonard led the Spurs to a 3-0 week behind averages of 32.0 points (second in the West), 9.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and a league-best 4.0 steals.  On March 1, he hit the game-winning basket with 2.4 seconds remaining to cap a 31-point outing in a 100-99 victory over the Indiana Pacers.  The All-Star forward closed the week with 34 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and a season-high six steals in a 97-90 overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 4.  That performance marked his 90^th straight game with at least 10 points, the longest streak by a Spur since Tim Duncan’s 91-game run ended in 2003. 

Here is a recap of the week for Walker and Leonard: 

Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets

Feb. 28 @ L.A. Lakers Recorded 30 points, seven assists and five rebounds in a 109-104 victory over the Lakers.

March 2 @ Phoenix: Finished with 26 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals in a 120-103 loss to the Suns.

March 4 @ Denver: Posted 27 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals in a 112-102 victory over the Nuggets.

Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

March 1 vs. Indiana: Scored the game-winning basket with 2.4 seconds left during a 31-point, 10-rebound effort in a 100-99 win over the Pacers.

March 3 @ New Orleans: Recorded 31 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals in a 101-98 overtime victory over the Pelicans.

March 4 vs. Minnesota: Contributed 34 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and six steals in a 97-90 overtime win over the Timberwolves. 

Other nominees for the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Boston’s Isaiah Thomas, Dallas’ Seth Curry, New Orleans’ DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Phoenix’s Tyler Ulis, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and Washington’s Bradley Beal and Bojan Bogdanovic.

#ClutchNBA: John Wall (East) y Karl-Anthony Towns (West) los Jugadores de la Semana en la NBA

WASHINGTON’S WALL AND MINNESOTA’S TOWNS NAMED NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

NEW YORK, March 13, 2017 – The Washington Wizards’ John Wall and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 6 through Sunday, March 12.

Wall led the Wizards to a 4-0 week, with all of Washington’s wins coming on the road. He paced the East in scoring (29.8 ppg) and assists (11.3 apg) while adding 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals. On March 7, the 26-year-old recorded 25 points, 14 assists, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks in a 131-127 victory over the Phoenix Suns. On March 11, Wall tallied 39 points and nine assists as Wizards erased a 21-point halftime deficit in a 125-124 overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Towns averaged 29.0 points (fourth in the West) on 63.3 percent shooting and 12.3 rebounds (tied for fourth) as the Timberwolves went 2-1. On March 8, he scored 29 points on 14-for-21 shooting and added 14 rebounds in a 107-91 win over the L.A. Clippers. On March 11, the 21-year-old scored a game-high 35 points on 14-for-21 shooting to go with 14 rebounds and two blocks in 102-95 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. It was the 13^th time this season that Towns has scored at least 30 points. 

Here is a recap of the week for Wall and Towns: 

John Wall, Washington Wizards

March 7 @ Phoenix: Finished with 25 points, 14 assists, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks in a 131-127 win over the Suns.

March 8 @ Denver: Posted 30 points and 10 assists in a 123-113 win over the Nuggets.

March 10 @ Sacramento: Scored 25 points and added 12 assists in a 130-122 win over the Kings.

March 11 @ Portland: Poured in 39 points on 13-of-23 shooting in a 125-124 overtime win over the Trail Blazers.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

March 8 vs. LA Clippers: Tallied 29 points, 14 rebounds and two assists in a 107-91 victory over the Clippers.

March 10 vs. Golden State: Recorded 23 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two assists in a 103-102 victory over the Warriors.

March 11 @ Milwaukee: Finished with 35 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks in a 102-95 loss to the Bucks.  

Other nominees for the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Dennis Schröder, Detroit’s Andre Drummond, Houston’s James Harden, Indiana’s Paul George, Miami’s Dion Waiters and Hassan Whiteside, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Philadelphia’s Dario Saric, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Portland’s Damian Lillard and Washington’s Bradley Beal.

SANTA CRUZ’S PHIL PRESSEY NAMED 
NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE PERFORMER OF THE WEEK

NEW YORK, March. 13, 2017 – Phil Pressey of the Santa Cruz Warriors today was named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Monday, March 6 through Sunday, March 12.

Pressey (5-11, Missouri) led Santa Cruz to a 3-0 week, averaging 24.3 points (on 51.9 percent shooting), 8.7 assists, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.0 blocks. On March 8, he tallied 28 points, 11 assists and six steals in a 128-122 victory over Raptors 905. He followed that up with a 26-point effort, including six three-pointers, in a 144-123 win over the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on March 10. The three wins extended Santa Cruz’s winning streak to six games as the Warriors gained control of the fourth wild card position in the Western Conference.

For the season, Pressey is averaging 18.7 points, 8.1 assists 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals. He last appeared in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2015-16 season.

Other top performers considered included Canton’s Eric Moreland and John Holland, Delaware’s Russ Smith, Fort Wayne’s Alex Poythress, Northern Arizona’s Elijah Millsap, Oklahoma City’s Reggie Williams, Raptors 905’s Axel Toupane, Rio Grande Valley’s Darius Morris, Sioux Falls’ Keith Benson, Texas’ Jameel Warney and Windy City’s Jarell Eddie.