Mark DeRosa wanted Tim Anderson’s bat within the lineup.
Canada began a left-hander in Monday’s World Baseball Classic matchup and the Team USA supervisor needed to play each Anderson and Trea Turner.
The solely problem? Both are shortstops — Anderson for the Chicago White Sox and Turner for the Philadelphia Phillies.
DeRosa requested Anderson if he’d shift to second base.
“I was open for it,” Anderson stated. “It’s a matter of just getting comfortable and I got comfortable as the game went on. And I was able to complete the task.”
Anderson confirmed he’s very snug on the massive stage too, going 2-for-3 with a triple, one RBI, one stroll and two runs in a 12-1 victory in a vital Pool C sport at Chase Field. With a lead of not less than 10 runs, the competition was known as within the seventh per the foundations of the primary spherical of the event.
Anderson has excelled within the postseason and has collected a success as a starter within the All-Star Game. He ended the inaugural Field of Dreams sport in 2021 with a dramatic walk-off two-run homer.
On a roster stuffed with top-notch expertise, he made his mark in one other main occasion Monday.
“He’s a star,” stated Los Angeles Angels heart fielder Mike Trout, who was Team USA’s designated hitter. “There’s no method else to place it. I feel after we went to Chicago, watching him play, I don’t suppose we received him out, to be trustworthy.
“And I’ll put his swing the other way with anybody. I think that his approach — he knows the situation and he’s a ball player. And he’s doing anything to help the team win.”
That included taking part in second base Monday.
“It’s really not the first time I’ve played on the other side of the bag,” Anderson stated with a smile. “With the shift, I stayed on that side.”
Anderson’s total big-league profession has been at shortstop. DeRosa stated he first mentioned the choice of taking part in second with Anderson when he was named to the crew “just because of his ability to hit left-handed pitching.”
Anderson cleanly fielded every of the 4 grounders hit his method.
He might need been at a brand new place, however Anderson was taking part in behind a well-recognized hurler with Sox teammate Lance Lynn beginning.
DeRosa credited the right-hander for setting the tone that allowed Team USA to rebound from Sunday’s 11-5 loss to Mexico. Lynn allowed one run on two hits and struck out six in 5 innings.
He obtained loads of offensive help early, with Team USA scoring 9 runs within the backside of the primary. Anderson walked and scored in the course of the inning, which featured a three-run homer by Trout.
Anderson drove in a run with a triple to right-center within the second and Turner hit a solo homer later within the inning. Those hits got here towards right-handed reliever R.J. Freure.
Anderson’s different hit got here within the sixth, a single to proper towards lefty Adam Loewen.
“I think you’ve seen it over the course of his career, every year he’s gotten better,” Lynn stated of Anderson. “And everyone tells him that he can’t do one thing, he’s going to show you mistaken and do every little thing that he can to win, regardless of the place he’s, regardless of the scenario is, no matter scenario you set him in.
“And that’s who he is. He’s going to win at all costs.”
Much like he has accomplished with the Sox, DeRosa stated Anderson has supplied a spark for Team USA.
“What a talented ball player,” DeRosa stated. “(He) desires the second. Got an edge about him. It’s a feeling-out course of at first. I feel he needed to let some folks understand how good he was in that dugout, in that clubhouse, the teaching employees on down the road.
“He has really caught a lot of peoples’ eyes on this team.”
Anderson had two hits and three RBIs beginning at shortstop towards Mexico.
“Being in the lineup with so many dudes, you ain’t really got to do too much,” Anderson stated. “The whole goal is really to just pass the stick, and I think you saw it out of the gate (Monday). And we just kept pouring it on them.”
Team USA (2-1) concludes Pool C play Wednesday towards Colombia. As Monday confirmed, Anderson is able to contribute in any matter.
“I’m always out to prove something,” he stated. “Just to be amongst a few of the greats. I simply get an opportunity for the world to see what sort of athlete I’m and in addition the fellows get to know what sort of individual I’m, human being.
“I’m just very thankful and blessed for this opportunity.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com