[Mattymo]

Day 4

Miami Pool
*United States 4-0
*Dominican Republic 3-1
Panama 2-2
Taiwan 2-2
Guatemala 1-3
Argentina 0-4

-United States clinched #1 seed
-Dominican Republic clinched #2 seed

Toronto Pool
*Canada 4-0
Cuba 3-1-
Columbia 2-2-
Nicaragua 2-2
South Africa 1-3
Netherlands 0-4

-Canada clinched #1 seed
-Cuba can clinch playoff spot with win over Nicaragua
-If Nicaragua beats Cuba and Colombia beats South Africa, 3-way tie will be determined by cumulative score

Tokyo Pool
Japan 4-0
Mexico 3-1
Australia 3-1
Aruba 1-3
Italy 1-3
Brazil 0-4

-Japan clinches playoff spot with win over Australia or Mexico loss to Italy
-If Australia beat Japan and Mexico beats Italy, 3-way tie will be determined by cumulative score
-Mexico can clinch playoff spot with a win over Italy
-Australia needs to beat Japan and have Italy beat Mexico to make playoffs

Caracas Pool
Venezuela 3-1
Puerto Rico 3-1
South Korea 3-1
Chile 1-3
China 1-3
Costa Rica 1-3

-Winner of Venezuela-South Korea clinches playoff spot
-Puerto Rico can clinch with win over China


Recap:
-Game of the Day: It took extra innings for Mexico to hold off Australia in the Tokyo Pool. Enrico Valentin (Buenos Aires Portenos, 2L) hit a 10th inning RBI triple to put Mexico in the driver's seat for a playoff spot. Australia scored 5 in the 8th to tie it.

-Player of the Day: Cristian Mendoza (Free Agent, pitched with Havana Industriales, 2L, last season) came back on only 2 days rest and went 7 strong in a must win for Mexico. He got a no decision but didn't allow a run and struck out 8.

-Though both teams are in, the United States' win over Dominican Republic was big, as now they avoid Canada in the Quarters. Bobby Givens (St. Louis Cardinals) hit two big homers.

-Biggest upset so far: Costa Rica earned their first ever World Cup win with a 6-3 triumph over Venezuela. The Venezuelans have really struggled so far and need to get it together against South Korea on the final day of Pool Play.