Adam Jones with walk-off hit; showdown with DR is tonight

Well, perhaps that win for Team USA last night gained the World Baseball Classic more fans in this country. If it didn't, tonight's heavyweight bout between the United States and the Dominican Republic figures to do that.

The Orioles sure factored significantly in the United States' 3-2 victory in 10 innings over Colombia. O's right-hander Mychal Givens allowed both runs that Colombia scored and Adam Jones drove in two for the USA, including the walk-off winner in the last of the 10th.

Jones, who hasn't had a walk-off hit in a regular season game since 2012, singled on an 0-2 pitch to break the 2-2 tie and end the night. Christian Yelich and Brandon Crawford drew walks with one-out and, after Ian Kinsler grounded out, Jones battled right-hander Guillermo Moscoso. He got just enough of an 0-2 pitch to lift it into left-center and end the game.

.@USABaseball wins their #WBC2017 opener against Colombia thanks to @SimplyAJ10! They face the Dominican Republic Saturday at 6pE! pic.twitter.com/GnCWSz8FfP

-- MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 11, 2017

"I'm used to getting pies. I've never gotten that one before." - @SimplyAJ10 on the shower after his walk-off hit for Team USA. #WBC2017 pic.twitter.com/0wmZI5chQa

-- MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 11, 2017

Had the USA not scored there, the international rules would have started in the 11th inning. Each half-inning would have begun with runners already on first and second base.

Jones, batting second and playing center field, went 2-for-5 in the win and was robbed of extra bases on a great catch by Colombian center fielder Tito Polo in the first inning.

Givens came on to pitch in relief of starter Chris Archer in the fifth. He fanned the first two hitters with nasty sliders. But then he elevated some fastballs and got hit for three straight doubles, producing two runs and a 2-0 Colombia lead. Givens then got a third strikeout to end a 21-pitch inning. The Americans were held in check by Colombia's starter José Quintana of the White Sox but rallied for two runs in the sixth to tie it. The first run there scored on a Jones' double to left.

It was one exciting game to begin WBC play for Team USA. The win was probably critical because a loss there and another tonight (very possible) against a very strong Dominican squad and the USA might have been out of this event in round one of pool play. The USA has not been eliminated in the first round of the three previous WBCs and that is a first they didn't want to set.

Now the USA plays the Dominican squad tonight at 6:30 p.m. live on MLB Network with Marcus Stroman pitching for the United States and Edinson Volquez for the Dominican Republic. This is a heavyweight matchup that figures to further put this event on the map in America.

Jones got several congrats on Twitter last night, including some from Orioles teammates. Here is more from the Friday night Twitterverse:

I see you @SimplyAJ10!

-- Brad Brach (@BradBrach) March 11, 2017

10!!!!!🇺🇸@SimplyAJ10

-- Donnie Hart (@donniehart0) March 11, 2017

I see you Jonesy!!! USA USA USA🇺🇸 #ForGlory

-- Bryce Harper (@Bharper3407) March 11, 2017

Chris Archer must have thought either Adam Jones needed a shower or had a game winning hit against Columbia in WBC pic.twitter.com/DEGYtWvPUj

-- Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) March 11, 2017

I always want @SimplyAJ10 up with the game on the line and tonight was exactly why #WBC2017 #TeamUSA

-- Andrew Miller (@a_miller48) March 11, 2017