YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — For Triston Casas, the Olympics feel as comfortable as spring training.
That’s because when he stepped to the plate in the United States’ elimination game against the Dominican Republic on Wedesday, he was facing Boston Red Sox Double-A teammate Denyi Reyes.
“I have one career at-bat off of him in spring training, and I hit a home run over the batter’s eye, as well,” Casas said after he crushed a two-run, first-inning drive that started the Americans to a 3-1 win. “So 2 for 2 with a walk.”
Tyler Austin, a former major leaguer in his home ballpark of the Central League’s Yokohama Bay Stars, added a solo home run in the fifth against Gabriel Arias, his second long ball of the tournament to go with a .