APCuracao 2, Venezuela 1
Claycandy Hariquez, one of five returnees from last year’s tournament team, drove in the go-ahead run with a single and threw a two-hitter. He struck out 13 and walked one.
The righty tossed a gem that would have impressed his idol, Atlanta Braves pitcher and Curacao native Jair Jurrjens.
“I felt I pitched very well and I was ready for the game,” Hariquez said in a low voice through and interpreter. “I felt more nervous last year, my first World Series.”
Japan 5, Saudi Arabia 2
Daisuke Yamaga and Toshinori Wakai each hit two-run homers to lead Chiba City, Japan over Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
Wakai also got the complete-game win, striking out 11, walking two and allowing four hits.
Yamaga staked Japan to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first with his homer to center field.
Saudi Arabia rallied to tie in the top of the third on Nicky Knight’s two-run triple.
But Japan took the lead for good in the bottom half after Yamaga tripled before Wakai homered to center to make it 4-2.
Saudi Arabia got the tying run to the plate with two outs in the sixth after Cameron Durley walked and John Sheppard doubled, but Wakai got a groundout to end it.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
NEW YORK (AP) - As the glow fades from the Giants' Super Bowl triumph, some New York sports fans are tuning in to basketball and hockey, with the Rangers in first place and the Knicks' overnight sensation, Jeremy Lin, sparking "Lin-sanity.''
Robins: This year, six new breeds will be making their debut on the green carpet for the Westminster Dog Show, which begins Monday.
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