Rockies pitcher Michael Lorenzen stars for Italy against Team USA in WBC

Italy initially took a commanding 8-0 lead Tuesday night, but Team USA made a strong comeback, scoring six unanswered runs. Ultimately, it wasn't enough, and Italy secured the win, moving to 3-0 in pool play as the USA dropped to 3-1.

Team USA could face elimination depending on the Italy vs. Mexico game result Wednesday afternoon.

Colorado right-handed starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen excelled for Italy, seizing his opportunity. He signed a one-year, $8 million contract this offseason and is eager to help clarify and correct pitching at altitude.

This game provided Rockies fans with much-needed relief, as Lorenzen has struggled with control issues this spring. However, his performance against Team USA was close to flawless, making those issues completely unnoticeable.

The veteran pitched 4.2 innings, allowing only two hits against a tough, top-to-bottom lineup, while also walking one and striking out two.

Lorenzen and Italy will now focus on Team Mexico, currently 2-1 in pool play. Team USA is banking on Italy to defeat Mexico; otherwise, we could face different run differential complications.

Team Mexico's roster includes a pair of Rockies relievers: Brennan Bernardino and Victor Vodnik.

Both relievers appeared in Mexico's first game of pool play against Great Britain. Bernardino pitched a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out two, while Vodnik got the hold, walking two but managing to keep Great Britain off the board.

News and notes from Rockies in the WBC

• Cole Carrigg and Team Israel defeated the Netherlands 6-2 on Tuesday. Colorado's No. 6 prospect went 0-for-4 with a run scored, and his average is currently .133 in the WBC.

• Willi Castro and Team Puerto Rico lost to Edouard Julien and Team Canada 3-2. Julien went 1-for-5 with a run scored and had two strikeouts, while Castro, who entered the game as a late-game substitute, went 0-for-1.

Rockies couldn't get anything going against the Reds in a 8-1 spring training loss

• The Rockies tallied only five hits in nine innings, while Ryan Feltner and Jimmy Herget allowed six runs on eight hits, striking out five.

• Colorado's only run came on an RBI single by Ryan Ritter in the seventh inning, as he continues to hit the ball well this spring.

• Charlie Condon, TJ Rumfield, and Kyle Karros were the other Rockies with hits on the afternoon.

• Hunter Goodman continues to struggle this spring, as the All-Star catcher went 0-for-3, and his average has dipped to .083.