With his team in dire need of a win over the favored United States after losing its Pool D opener to Italy on Thursday, Adrian Gonzalez homered to help knock off Team USA.

Rockies left-hander Jorge De La Rosa sat in his Scottsdale home watching the nasty weather on Friday, wondering if he’d have a chance to display his revamped mechanics that night.

In order to give a Spring Training weekend getaway to 18 children undergoing cancer treatment at Children’s Hospital Colorado, the fundraising would be a challenge. Well, until Rockies star Troy Tulowitzki learned of the idea.

A buzz could be heard across JetBlue Park on Friday night, and it was caused by one throw — a laser out of the hand of Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez.

While the Dominican Republic is a heavy favorite in this year’s World Baseball Classic, they are not going to relax when facing Spain on Saturday at 11 a.m. ET. The game can be seen on MLB Network and ESPN Deportes.

Jumping out to an early lead, Puerto Rico cruised behind its pitching in a 3-0 victory over Spain in Pool C action at Hiram Bithorn Stadium on Friday night.

Clubhouse leader. It is one of those titles you hear so much in baseball that you sometimes wonder if it is overstated. Then there is Jonny Gomes.

After dropping its opener, Venezuela is well aware it has its back against the proverbial wall, needing to beat Puerto Rico on Saturday evening to have any chance of advancing to the second round in Miami.

The vitriol and loathing seem long gone now, replaced by a smile softened by time. The mere mention of Earl Weaver no longer causes Lou Piniella to bristle or snarl. Weaver’s passing in January has much to do with how Piniella’s reactions have changed. No speaking ill of the dead. Four-letter words no longer are used.

A week ago, when Italy gathered in the Valley to begin preparations for the World Baseball Classic, Mike Piazza called his team “the underdog of the bracket” that includes Canada, Mexico and USA.

Zack Greinke, who missed Sunday’s bullpen session with minor forearm tightness and missed a Wednesday start because of the flu, threw an impressive bullpen session Friday with no discomfort from either.

Chris Colabello went 4-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs to power Italy, which moved to 2-0 in Pool D with a 14-4, mercy-rule victory over Canada on Friday at Chase Field.

After watching his team fall to the Cardinals, 16-10, on Friday afternoon, Nationals manager Davey Johnson revealed that right-hander Jordan Zimmermann has a dead arm. However, Johnson is not showing any concern.

Right-hander Deolis Guerra returned to the Twins’ Spring Training complex on Friday after suffering an injury while with Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.

While Orioles manager Buck Showalter has made it no secret that he thinks the World Baseball Classic poses a lot of challenges for Major League Spring Training, when it comes to 21-year-old Jonathan Schoop, there’s been a lot of upside.

Red Sox slugger David Ortiz took another down day from running on Friday, making it obvious that he won’t reach the original target of playing in an exhibition game by the end of this week.

One brings Gold-Glove caliber defense and is a switch-hitter. The other is a plus runner and provides more than a little pop with the bat. They collectively have the DNA makeup of an All-Star player, but the Astros must decide which tools fit them the best.