Taiwan downs Netherlands 8-3

TAIPEI: Dai-Kang Yang batted in three runs, including two on a home run, to help pace host Taiwan to an 8-3 victory over Netherlands in a Group B World Baseball Classic game in Taichung, Taiwan yesterday.
Taiwan improved its record in the group to 2-0, putting it in a strong position to advance to the next round in Tokyo.
Yang's two-run homer came during a three-run 6th inning, breaking the game open after Taiwan scored four in the 4th.
Dashenko Ricardo had two RBIs for the Dutch. They went ahead 3-0 in the 2nd after Taiwanese pitchers issued four consecutive passes — three walks and a hit batter.
Today Korea plays Australia. It's a must-win for the favorite Koreans, who fell 5-0 to Netherlands on Saturday.
In Fukuoka, Japan, Cuba beat Brazil 5-2 in its first game of the World Baseball Classic.
Cuba, the 2006 runner-up, was held hitless through four innings but broke out with two runs in the fifth and padded its lead with three more in the sixth inning at Fukuoka Dome.
Frederich Cepeda scored from third on a fielder's choice to give Cuba a 3-0 lead in the sixth and shortstop Erisbel Arruebarruena drove in two more runs with a bases-loaded single to left.
Brazil responded with two runs in the bottom of the sixth but that was all the scoring for Barry Larkin's team which dropped to 0-2.
Cuban starter Ismel Jimenez picked up the win after striking out six over 4 2-3 scoreless innings.
MLB roundup: Albert Pujols is confident he’ll be ready to play when the Los Angeles Angels open the regular season on April 1 in Cincinnati against the Reds.
Pujols told the Los Angeles Times that he continues to make progress from knee surgery last October, adding that he does not need to.
He has been taking batting practice, fielding grounders and running on a treadmill for more than two weeks since reporting to Tempe, Ariz.
He has not run bases yet and is reportedly another two weeks away from appearing in a spring training game.
“If the season started tomorrow, I’d be playing, but there’s no reason to push it,” he said. “We're being cautious because we have time.”
But Pujols, 33, said he does not need to play in a spring game to be ready for the regular season.
“As long as my body feels good, I'm ready to go,” he said. “I’ve got 8,000 at-bats in the big leagues," Pujols said. “I think I’ve got plenty.”
The agent for Mike Trout is angry that last season's American League Rookie of the Year had his contract renewed by the Angels rather than be given a big raise.
The agent is upset that the Angels renewed Trout's contract for $510,000, just $20,000 above the major league minimum salary.
“During the process, on behalf of Mike, I asked only that the Angels compensate Mike fairly for his historic 2012 season, given his service time,” Trout's agent, Craig Landis, said in a statement.
“In my opinion, this contract falls well short of a 'fair' contract and I have voiced this to the Angels throughout the process. Nonetheless, the renewal of Mike's contract will put an end (to) this discussion.” San Francisco Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday against the Chicago Cubs in Scottsdale, Ariz., because of a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand.
It is considered minor, and he has dealt with blisters in past springs.
The blister affects his ability to throw sliders and changeups. He had similar issues when he won the National Cy Young Award in 2009.
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Yovani Gallardo was scratched from his Sunday start against the Chicago Cubs because of a minor groin strain, MLB.com reported.
Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said the injury could affect Gallardo's availability for the World Baseball Classic.
Gallardo sustained the injury during his start against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. Also, left fielder Ryan Braun fouled a pitch off his left knee Thursday and is questionable to play Saturday.
It should not affect his WBC status with Team USA.
New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told CBS Sports the problem with left-handed ace Johan Santana is he reported to training camp not in shape to pitch.
Santana wanted to pitch for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, but the team denied him permission because he was not ready to pitch.
Santana ended last season on the disabled list as he struggled after throwing a no-hitter on June 1. He had ankle and back soreness last year as he came back from shoulder surgery.