The World Team Drops a Future's Game Heartbreaker, 8-7

By KYLE KEOUGH
Double Day AP

The World dropped a close 8-7 loss to the United States in the third annual Double Day Future's Game after a drawn-out ninth inning left the game undecided until Brian Li's flyout to end the World's chances.

The marathon 25-hit affair saw both bullpens running on fumes down the stretch, as both managers made a conscious attempt to use almost everyone: the US team used 10 pitchers for 9 innings' worth of work, including Jerome Ganzel, the prized long reliever in High A for the Salt Lake City Trappers who earned the win over 1 2/3 innings' scoreless work, and the New York Yankees' Chris DiSarcina, who earned the save with the game's final out on a mere two pitches.

For the World, it was Chico Lucano, despite a 12-4 mark on the young season, who struggled mightily. Lucano allowed two runs while not recording a single out, giving up a two-run homer to leadoff hitter Chico Fox of the Honolulu Asahis.

Ahead 5-4 entering the ninth frame, the United States padded their lead with a two-RBI line-drive single from SS York Finley, followed by another run courtesy of Rob Walls. Walls, a member of the Philadelphia Stars' organization who has just recently made his debut in the ML, had three RBIs on the night and was named Most Valuable Player. He'll add that plaque to previous distinctions, among them season two's AAA Most Valuable Player award.

Capped by DH Tomas Marrero's RBI in the ninth, the World again drew within one run and threatened the lead of the US. Yet with two outs in the ninth, Brian Li's blooper hung in the air just long enough, culminating a US team victory.