Team USA smacked six home runs – including two by Andy LaRoche, to whip Spain 12-2 on Sunday and reclaim the top spot in Group A.

The Americans jumped all over Spanish starter Miguel Rizo in the opening frame with LaRoche connecting for a two-run shot to give Skipper Davey Johnson and Team USA a quick 2-0 lead.

Bryan Anderson tallied his “own” two-run homer in the second inning and Steve Pearce added a solo blast in the third as Team USA staked claim to 5-1 lead heading into the fourth.

Detroit Tigers prospect Dallas Trahern was effective in four innings on the mound allowing just a single run on six hits. Reliever Jerry Blevins fanned two in recording six outs.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays top prospect Evan Longoria got into the act with a two-run homer to get things rolling in the seventh and final inning. Colby Rasmus added an inside-the-park home run that plated three runs and LaRoche capped off the power display with his second two-run dinger of the game.

Rizo allowed five runs on seven hits in three innings of work for Spain before giving way to Jorge Balboa who looked good in three innings giving up a pair of runs on four hits. The Americans tagged the next Spanish reliever, Rhiner Cruz, for five runs and three hits to seal the easy win.

The Americans continue to get quality innings from their starters and relievers but a porous defense has resulted in seven unearned runs in five games. Team USA will return to action on Tuesday against winless South Africa.

Spain will battle Mexico on Tuesday before meeting Japan the following day in their tournament finale.

Photo/IBAF

World Cup – Wednesday, Nov. 7th

• USA Blanks Mexico, 3-0
• Panama Blanks Spain, 5-0
• Japan Routs South Africa,11-1
• Korea Silences Canada, 5-0
• Venezuela Spanks Germany, 8-0
• Dutch Pound Thailand, 16-0

World Cup – Thursday, Nov. 8th

• Canada Crushes Thailand, 18-0
• Italy Batters Spain, 11-1
• Australia Nips Dutch, 4-3
• Cuba Gets Past Germany, 7-3
• Taiwin Stifles S. Africa, 8-1
• Korea Blanks Venezuela, 4-0
• Japan Rolls By Mexico, 15-3

World Cup – Friday, Nov. 9th

• Spain Tops South Africa, 7-4
• Panama Nips Mexico, 3-2
• Taiwan Silences Japan, 6-1
• Korea Pummels Thailand, 18-2
• Australia Beats Venezuela, 7-4
• Netherlands Thumps Germany, 15-5
• Cuba Holds Off Canada, 6-3

World Cup – Saturday, Nov. 10th

• Australia Whips Thailand, 26-1
• Canada Blanks Germany, 10-0
• USA Stops Japan, 5-1
• Cuba Subdues Korea, 7-2
• Dutch Tops Venezuela, 7-4
• Panama Halts Italy, 6-0
• Mexico Beats S. Africa, 13-3
• Taiwan Downs Spain, 8-4

World Cup – Sunday, Nov. 11th

• Mexico Stuns Taiwan, 9-5
• Italy Blanks S. Africa, 8-0
• Canada Stops The Dutch, 7-1
• Cuba Rolls By Venezuela, 10-0
• Australia Nips Korea, 2-1
• Germany Subdues Thailand, 2-0

Tags: World Cup