MIAMI — Gio Gonzalez munched on chicken wings and shrimp scampi at a sports bar in his hometown as he watched Team USA rally to stay alive in the World Baseball Classic.
MIAMI — Gio Gonzalez munched on chicken wings and shrimp scampi at a sports bar in his hometown as he watched Team USA rally to stay alive in the World Baseball Classic.
The next game he’ll take in from the mound. The Washington Nationals’ left-hander will start for the United States in its opener of Round 2 today against Puerto Rico.
The U.S. team rallied with seven runs in the last two innings Sunday to advance by beating Canada 9-4 in Phoenix.
Gonzalez wasn’t with the team in Arizona. He left the Nationals’ camp in central Florida before the U.S. game Sunday to make the three-hour drive south.
“I was so confident they were going to win,” he said. “I was ready to go.”
The second round will start with a split doubleheader today. The Dominican Republic will face Italy in an afternoon game, followed by Team USA against Puerto Rico.
“At this point, you’re getting the cream,” U.S. manager Joe Torre said. “They’ve all gotten through the first round.”