Japan manager Sadaharu Oh is impressed with the control of pitchers from Team USA after watching the Americans dominate Mexico in the first round of the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday.
"The American team likes to increase their pitchers' count gradually. They showed a lot of control on the mound. (Jake) Peavy made about 30 pitches but they'll gradually let him and other starters pitch more," Oh said.
In fact, San Diego Padres right-hander Jake Peavy threw just 23 pitches in his start in a 2-0 victory over Mexico. He had solid command on both sides of the plate mixing in a variety of pitches, allowing one hit, no walks and three strikeouts in three innings of work.
Oh commended both U.S. and Mexican pitchers but hinted that the U.S. powerhouse lineup, which includes leadoff-man Johnny Damon, Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr., appeared somewhat sluggish in the their first game at the Classic.