Maybe it’s best that Colby Rasmus couldn’t play in the Summer Olympics after all.
His knee injury knocked him off of Team USA – and kept him away from the mayhem that ensued when the United States beat China 9-1.
Matt LaPorta, the key player Cleveland got from Milwaukee in the CC Sabathia deal, was right in the middle of things.
LaPorta ran over Chinese catcher Wang Wei in a play at the plate in the fifth inning, forcing Wang from the game with a left knee injury. LaPorta was safe on the play.
Team USA teammate Nate Schierholtz bulldozed China’s back-up catcher, Yang Yang, while scoring a run in the sixth. Yang had to be restrained from going after Schierholtz.
“I think we not only lost the game but lost our catcher possibly for the rest of the games,”China manager Jim Lefebvre said. “The umpire should have ejected (Schierholtz). That’s when the game got out of hand.”
In the seventh, China pitcher Chen Kun drilled LaPorta in the head. LaPorta stayed down for some time and was later taken to a Beijing hospital with a mild concussion.
“We do not throw to hit people,” Lefebvre said. “We do not teach that in China or in the U.S.” Perhaps, but five American hitters were hit by pitches during the game.
China’s only run came in the ninth, when Yang homered and raised his right fist as he circled the bases. See what ESPN Sports Center has done to sportsmanship?
For a video recap, check this out.
Memphis Redbird Brian Barden singled and scored a run and former Cards prospect John Gall had a RBI double.
HE CAN AFFORD MANY FRIED EGG SANDWICHES
Michael Phelps will have a fat wallet this year as the endorsement deals roll in. The Wall Street Journal fills us in.
WEIRD OLYMPIC FEATURE
Wouldn’t it be weird to have Deion Sanders show up at the house and take so much interest in your kid? Thanks to The Big Lead for bringing this to our attention.
Wow. You’ve got to love the music in this video feature. And as Patrick Imig wrote, “There is also the awkward sense that Mr. Liukin is not too fond of Deion. I’m guessing he either doesn’t trust PrimeTime with his daughter or he really despises MC Hammer songs.”