USA tops Mexico 2-0 in its debut at WBC

One after another, the American pitchers were untouchable. A pair of big blows provided all the help they needed.

Jake Peavy and a parade of relievers combined on a four-hitter against a lineup loaded with major leaguers Tuesday, leading the United States to a 2-0 victory over Mexico in its World Baseball Classic debut in Phoenix.

Home runs by Derrek Lee and Chipper Jones were all that was necessary on offense.

"Today I felt proud," Lee said. "I felt like the whole country was watching."

Lee hit a 1-1 pitch from starter Rodrigo Lopez over the right-field fence and Jones homered on the first pitch he saw in the tournament -- off Oscar Villarreal in the seventh.

Peavy allowed one hit -- an infield single by Karim Garcia that easily could have been ruled an error on second baseman Chase Utley to start the game. The 24-year-old San Diego Padres right-hander struck out three, throwing just 23 pitches. Mike Timlin, Chad Cordero, Dan Wheeler, Todd Jones, Joe Nathan and Brad Lidge each threw an inning of relief for the U.S. squad, which has 11 relievers on its roster.

"Our bullpen is ridiculous," Lee said. "I kind of felt sorry for those guys having to face them."

The U.S. pitchers combined for nine strikeouts and no walks.

Dominican Republic 11, Venezuela 5

David Ortiz and Adrian Beltre each homered twice in Kissimmee, Fla., leading the powerful Dominican Republic to victory in the opening game of Pool D, a tough grouping that also includes Australia and Italy.

Bartolo Colon, the 2005 AL Cy Young winner for the Los Angeles Angels, pitched three scoreless innings for the win before leaving after 50 pitches -- well below the opening-round limit of 65.

Johan Santana, the 2004 AL Cy Young recipient, yielded Ortiz's first homer and took the loss. He threw 61 pitches in 3 1-3 innings.

Ortiz and Beltre each hit a two-run homer in the ninth as the Dominicans broke open a 6-5 game.

Italy 10, Australia 0

Mike Piazza doubled and scored a run and Jason Grilli was almost perfect in 4 2-3 innings of work, leading Italy to a victory over in the first round in Kissimmee, Fla.

Puerto Rico 2, Panama 1

Bernie Williams hit a tiebreaking single, Alex Rios homered and Puerto Rico opened the World Baseball Classic with a 2-1 victory over Panama in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Javier Vazquez got help from his bullpen, and Williams' single up the middle scored Alex Cintron in the fifth inning to put Puerto Rico ahead before a home crowd of more than 19,000 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

With a roster that also features major league stars Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado and Ivan Rodriguez, Puerto Rico is a heavy favorite to advance to the second round. Cuba and the Netherlands are also in Pool C.

-- From wire reports