USA vs. Colombia: Score and Reaction from World Baseball Classic 2017

The United States got off to a winning start at the 2017 World Baseball Classic on Friday night at Marlins Park in Miami, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Colombia 3-2 in 10 innings via a walk-off single by center fielder Adam Jones.

In the 10th, left fielder Christian Yelich and shortstop Brandon Crawford drew one-out walks, and second baseman Ian Kinsler followed with a soft groundout that advanced the runners. Jones fell to an 0-2 count but squared up a pitch by Colombia reliever Guillermo Moscoso that was well over the plate and dropped it into left-center.

Here's the winning moment, via MLB Network:

ESPN Stats & Info noted it had been quite a while since Jones last delivered a walk-off hit:

Jones commented on the game after getting a celebratory bucket of ice dumped on him by his teammates, per MLB Network:

Had Jones not delivered the game-winning hit, the 11th and all subsequent innings would've started with two runners on, per World Baseball Classic rules.

Baseball America's Ben Badler was happy this did not come to pass:

The Baltimore Orioles star had the best day at the plate for Team USA, going 2-for-5 with the aforementioned single, a double and two RBI. Kinsler also had two hits, while Yelich—a late pinch-hitter for Andrew McCutchen—singled in his only official at-bat.

Team USA starter Chris Archer was cooly dominant, tossing four perfect innings on 41 pitches while striking out three batters. Colombia southpaw starter Jose Quintana was excellent in his own right, going 5.2 innings with one hit, one earned run, a walk and four strikeouts.

Reliever Tyler Clippard got the win for Team USA, the seventh and final pitcher it used in the game.

WBC Baseball passed along the starting lineups for both teams: 

Colombia featured only six major leaguers scattered throughout its roster, but it hung tough with the United States throughout the game. 

What might've been a classic pitcher's duel deep into the late innings under MLB rules was thwarted by the World Baseball Classic's strict 65-pitch limit in the opening rounds.

Archer had a handful of Gold Glove Award winners backing him up on the diamond, but they didn't have to exert themselves too much as the Tampa Bay Rays ace made it look easy with his 12-up, 12-down outing.

WBC Baseball caught him dealing in the first inning: 

Quintana wasn't quite perfect, issuing a walk within his first five innings, but he was just as effective as Archer early on. Some excellent fielding made his day easier, especially the efforts by center fielder Tito Polo. The New York Yankees prospect brilliantly tracked a ducking, swerving Adam Jones fly ball to the warning track in the second inning.

WBC Baseball has the highlight: 

SI Now's Jon Tayler commented on Polo's route to the highlight-reel catch:

CSN Chicago's Scott Krinch praised Quintana's ability to mow down a star-studded United States lineup:

With Archer cruising, some might've expected him to go longer than his 41 pitches. Team USA manager Jim Leyland's decision to pull Archer earlier than he had to backfired, as Colombia broke through for the game's first hits and runs in the fifth inning.

Three consecutive two-out doubles by Jesus Valdez, Adrian Sanchez and Mauricio Ramos off Team USA reliever Mychal Givens handed Colombia a 2-0 lead, drawing cheers from a friendly Marlins Park crowd.

Colombia's lead was short-lived, as the United States evened the score on a two-out rally of its own in the bottom of the sixth. Brandon Crawford chased Quintana from the game with a single, bringing in William Cuevas in relief. Kinsler singled, then Jones drove in Crawford with a high double down the left field line.

Third baseman Nolan Arenado swung on a third strike, but the wild pitch got away from Colombia catcher Jhonatan Solano, allowing Arenado to reach first safely and Kinsler to score and knot the game at 2-2. 

Tampa Bay rays third baseman Evan Longoria praised Arenado's hustle: 

WBC Baseball provided a look at the effort play:

Colombia threatened with two runners on and one out in the eighth, but Arenado caught Donovan Solano's soft liner and uncorked a quick throw to double off Polo at first and end the inning. MLB Network has the play:

Polo got his revenge in the bottom of the inning, diving to catch an Arenado fly ball and strand runners at first and third.

Both teams stranded runners in scoring positions late, moving the game along to extras and Jones' heroics.

The win moved Team USA to 11-10 all-time in the World Baseball Classic, a record that doesn't reflect the level of talent the Stars and Stripes can bring to the table. 

Colombia's debut effort in the WBC was a fine one and should give it some confidence moving forward, despite its overall dearth of MLB-caliber talent. 

The United States will continue Pool C play on Saturday against the Dominican Republic, which features a fearsome lineup and is one of the favorites to win the tournament after taking top honors in 2013.

The Dominican Republic thrashed Canada 9-2 on Thursday, so the U.S. pitching staff will face a stiff test. Colombia will take on Canada earlier in the day.