Smyly strong as USA defeats Greece

Pitching in his first game for USA Baseball, Drew Smyly didn't have any problem adjusting to international competition.

The Tigers' No. 6 prospect allowed just two hits while striking out seven over six scoreless innings as the United States defeated Greece, 3-0, in the International Baseball Federation World Cup in Panama on Thursday.

The game marked the first time Team USA had faced Greece, ranked No. 33 in the world, in international competition. With the win, the United States improved to 3-1.

Selected in the second round of the 2010 Draft, Smyly went 11-6 with a 2.07 ERA between Class A Advanced Lakeland and Double-A Erie this season. The 22-year-old left-hander struck out 130 while walking only 36 in 126 innings and was named the Tigers' Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

Offensively, Team USA was led by Padres outfielder Matt Clark, who cranked a two-run homer -- his second long ball of the tournament. The Diamondbacks' A.J. Pollock went 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Brett Carroll (Red Sox) scored the other run for the United States, reaching on an error by Greece third baseman Micha Moutsantonakis ahead of Clark's homer.

Fellow Boston farmhand Randy Williams closed the door in the ninth, striking out two in a perfect frame to secure his first save.

Notes: Clark's home run hit the light tower in right field. His two home runs and five RBIs in the tournament lead the team. ... Smyly is the only starter on the team not to have allowed a run. His seven strikeouts top the squad. ... Pollock raised his average to .417, which ranks first on the team among starters.