SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 10 (UPI) -- Ken Griffey Jr. had four hits, drove in seven runs and scored three times as the United States clobbered South Africa, 17-0 at the World Baseball Classic.
The Scottsdale, Ariz., contest was called after five innings Friday, when the mercy rule took effect.
Griffey, who has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, hit three-run homers in both the second and third innings; Derek Jeter went 3-for-3 with a triple, an RBI and four runs scored; Derrek Lee hit a two-run homer; and Roger Clemens yielded one hit in 4 1/3 innings with no walks and six strikeouts. Team USA advanced to the second round in Pool B.
It moved on after winning the tie-breaker with Canada on runs allowed per nine innings. The U.S. has given up four runs per nine, while Canada, which beat the U.S., 8-6, on Wednesday, surrendered 7.67.
The U.S. faces Japan on Sunday, while Mexico meets Korea.
