For the second consecutive game Dodgers prospect Andy LaRoche powered the U.S. offense, driving in four runs to lead the Americans (2-0) to a 7-0 win over the Panamanian squad in Taiwan.

Royals AAA pitcher Matt Wright thew six strong innings to pick up the win. The U.S. team will square off versus the Italian team (2-0) who whipped Spain 11-1 on Thursday afternoon.

In other action the Thai squad (0-2) was again mercifully let off the field, losing 18-0 to Canada (1-1). And in a mild upset the Korean team scored its second shutout in a row beating Venezuela 4-0.  

Team Japan

The Japanese team won its second game, crushing Mexico (0-2) by a 15-3 count. Hosts Chinese Taipei also got a win handing South Africa its 27th defeat in 29 World Cup games. Japan and Chinese Taipei will square off Friday at Shinchuan Stadium.

Germany played Cuba to a closer game than one might have expected, losing by just a 7-3 count. And in a very competitive matchup Australia scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to beat The Netherlands 4-3.