Canada Falls 5-3 To USA In WBC Quarterfinal
Photo: Baseball Canada
HOUSTON (AP) — Aaron Judge doubled and Pete Crow-Armstrong and Brice Turang each had two hits as the United States beat Canada 5-3 on Friday night to reach the World Baseball Classic semifinals.
The U.S. squad rebounded after an 8-6 loss to Italy in pool play left them needing help to advance to this round.
The Americans move on to face the Dominican Republic in a semifinal on Sunday in Miami, with Paul Skenes starting against the Dominicans’ Luis Severino.
It’s another big win for the U.S. over its neighbors to the north, coming after the U.S. hockey team beat Canada 2-1 in overtime to win the gold medal at the Milan Olympics last month.
Bo Naylor hit a two-run homer in Canada’s three-run sixth that cut the deficit to two runs. But the U.S. bullpen closed it out, capped by Mason Miller striking out the side in the ninth for the save.
Canada, which was in the quarterfinals for the first time, fell to 1-5 against the U.S. in the WBC.
I said we had a chance with Canada’s great no name pitching and they did give us a chance. We left too many “ducks on the pond” if only a few of them made it home. The difference was really only one 2 run error by short stop Otto Lopez with his gallant effort but his throw was high and wide to first and 2 runs scored, the difference in the game. Canada can hold their heads high as we are slowly climbing the ranks in World Baseball Supremacy. Go Italy!!