The Pan-American Games are mostly full of minor leaguers, with lots of top prospects, wishing to test their game against great international talent.
Wednesday afternoon, Jake Thompson withstood the test.
Thompson, the number four prospect in the Texas Rangers organization according to mlb.com, showcased his pitching talents hurling seven one-hit innings and leading the USA to a 6-0 victory over Nicaragua.
Thompson received early support from his offense, as the USA knocked Nicaragua starter Gustavo Martinez for five runs in 3.1 innings. Every USA starter got at least one hit with center fielder Travis Jankowski and catcher Thomas Murphy accounting for two hits apiece.
The support was plenty for Thompson who was just plain filthy Wednesday. Thompson, who is currently on the Rangers' Double-A team, allowed one hit, walked nobody, and struck out 10. Thompson used a mid-90s fastball and his slider to dominate Nicaragua's lineup, which scouts have reported to be 'a true wipeout pitch'. He retired the first 10 batters he faced before allowing a one-out single to Renato Morales. He responded by retiring the final 11 men that he faced. After Thompson finally exited, Nicaragua had two innings to muster an offensive attack against the USA bullpen. They were unable to do so, managing just one more single. This one by Darrel Campbell, in the final two frames off the trio of American relievers that included Brian Ellington, Buddy Baumann, and Paul Sewald.
The USA opened the scoring in the second, plating two runs. Third baseman Tyler Pastornicky doubled to begin the inning and went to third on Murphy's single. Both runners came around to score - Pastornicky on an RBI single by Patrick Kivlehan and Murphy on an RBI fielder's choice by Jeff Bianchi.
They added two more in the third, putting the USA ahead 4-0 on a two-run triple by Murphy, scoring Pastornicky and Casey Kotchman, both of whom had reached via walk. The Americans knocked Martinez out of the game in the fourth inning when they struck yet again. This time on an RBI single by Brian Bogusevic, scoring Albert Almora who had walked, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher.
The USA completed the scoring in the eighth inning, scoring the only run they would get off the Nicagragua bullpen when Kotchman grounded into a fielder's choice to score Bogusevic.
Samuel Estrada saved the Nicaragua bullpen by hurling 3.2 scoreless innings, allowing the Nicaraguans to use just four pitchers for the game.
The win moves the USA to second place behind undefeated Canada, whom they play on Friday. Nicaragua dropped to sixth place. The top four teams make the knockout rounds. Nicaragua has two critical games remaining against third-place Puerto Rico and fourth-place Cuba over the next two days.