Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz had two hits and drove in two runs and New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano was 3 for 5 with three RBIs as the Dominican Republic defeated Venezuela 9-3 in the World Baseball Classic in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus went 1 for 5 for Venezuela.In the first game of Group C play, Jose Reyes had four hits, Hanley Ramirez hit a long home run and Cano had two doubles to help the Dominicans get off to a strong start in a first-round pool that also includes Puerto Rico and Spain.Alejandro De Aza, like Cruz, drove in two runs. Venezuela starter Anibal Sanchez faced seven batters and got only one out.Venezuela slugger Miguel Cabrera went 0 for 4 with a walk and stranded three runners in a game that took 3 hours, 55 minutes - not including a 50-minute rain delay.• U.S. team: R.A. Dickey will start for the United States in its WBC opener at 8 tonight (MLB Network) against Mexico, something he calls “one of the greater privileges of my athletic career.”• Italy 6, Mexico 5: Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run double off Giants closer Sergio Romo in the ninth and Jason Grilli escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom half to help Italy rally to beat Mexico 6-5 in a Pool D opener in Scottsdale, Ariz.. Mexican outfielder Edgar Gonzalez couldn't handle Rizzo’s flyball in the sunlight.Rivera sets exit dateMariano Rivera, who missed most of last season after he tore a ligament in his right knee, is getting set to close his career.The New York Yankees' reliever plans to announce this weekend that he will retire after the 2013 season, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday. A news conference was called for Saturday at the Yankees' spring training complex in Tampa, Fla.Briefly• Cardinals: Shortstop Rafael Furcal will undergo ligament replacement surgery in his right elbow and expects to miss the 2013 season. Without Furcal, the Cardinals will likely turn to either Pete Kozma or veteran Ronny Cedeno at shortstop.• Nationals: Gio Gonzalez pitched three scoreless innings before heading to join the United States team at the World Baseball Classic and the Washington Nationals lost to the Houston Astros 4-2 Thursday.• Mets: Matt Harvey was nearly perfect while tossing 4 1-3 shutout innings in a 4-1 win over the Marlins on Thursday. Harvey's only base runner reached on an error. He struck out five batters and threw 35 of 48 pitches for strikes.• White Sox: The club says it has agreed on a five-year, $32.5 million contract with left-handed starter Chris Sale. The 23-year-old went 17-8 with a 3.05 ERA last year. • Twins: Aaron Hicks hit three home runs and Minnesota beat Philadelphia 10-6. He now has five home runs this spring as he tries to win the Twins' starting center field job.• Brewers: Even general manager Doug Melvin can't escape the injury bug that has stung his club this spring. Melvin, a former Texas Rangers general manager, spent three hours in the emergency room Wednesday night after he was stung by an Arizona bark scorpion inside his spring training condominium.• Padres: OF Donavan Tate, taken No. 3 overall in 2009, will not report to minor-league spring training today because of “personal reasons.”
Rangers want more information before determining role for Lowe
Baseball notes: Rivera to retire after 2013 season.
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