US Routs Venezuela to Reach 2nd Round of WBC        3/10/2009 6:32:55 PM

Kevin Youkilis hit a two-run homer, Adam Dunn and Ryan Braun added solo shots and the United States powered its way into the second round of the WBC by beating Venezuela 15-6 on Sunday night.

Chris Iannetta and Mark DeRosa each had four RBIs and Youkilis scored four times for Team USA, which broke it open with an eight-run sixth inning and finished with 16 hits.

"With that lineup, I don't see why we shouldn't have a few of those innings a night," Dunn said. "It was a lot of fun, but I don't think it was very unexpected on our side."

Every U.S. starter had at least one hit except for third baseman Chipper Jones, who was lifted in the sixth because of a mild strain on his side. Jones, 0-for-7 with five strikeouts in the WBC, will be evaluated again Monday.

"I got a good pitch to hit and tried to come out of my shoes to hit it," Jones said.

U.S. manager Davey Johnson said the Atlanta slugger could miss "a week or two."

"I told David Wright, 'This is probably the last time you're going to DH,'" Johnson said. "Anytime somebody has a little strain in the spring, you have to be real cautious."

Dunn was one of many U.S. players to rave about the chemistry and camaraderie that has quickly forged strong bonds among a team eager to make amends for a disappointing eighth-place finish at the 2006 tournament.

"It feels like we've been together for a long time," Dunn said. "I don't know if that's the way they designed it or what. It's a bunch of great guys and everyone gets along. It's amazing."

David Wright, who had three hits Sunday, said the Americans "clicked" from the first workout and have grown closer now that the competition is underway.

"It's not only a tremendous baseball experience, but also a personal experience to be around this group of guys and to have the fun we're having," Wright said. "On the field, in the clubhouse, it's just a blast to be a part of this."

Florida reliever Matt Lindstrom worked 1 1-3 perfect innings for the win before a crowd of 13,094.

Victor Zambrano took the loss, allowing four runs and two hits in one-plus inning.

Venezuela will play an elimination game Tuesday against the winner of Monday's game between Canada and Italy. The winner Tuesday advances to round two, and will face the U.S. on Wednesday night to decide first place in Group C.

Team USA will begin second-round play Saturday in Miami.

Melvin Mora's RBI single gave Venezuela a 1-0 lead in the third, but the U.S. answered with two in the fourth when DeRosa's two-out triple scored Youkilis and Dunn.