Canada can’t keep up with Colombia
MIAMI (AP) — Colombia managed to rebound after wasting a lead and losing its World Baseball Classic opener to the United States.
Julio Teheran allowed a run-scoring single in the first to Atlanta teammate Freddie Freeman, then retired his final 13 batters Saturday in a 4-1 win over Canada.
The Colombians had led the U.S. 2-0 in the sixth before losing 3-2 in 10 innings.
“Friday’s game was very emotional, but the guys maintained the same focus and energy,” said Colombia manager Luis Urueta. “I am very proud how they responded. The players keep playing hard.”
Donovan Solano had a pair of RBI singles, the first driving in brother Jhonatan Solano from second base in the third inning. The latter scored Tito Polo with two outs in the fifth against Ryan Kellogg for a 2-1 lead.
Teheran allowed one run and two hits in five innings, struck out three and walked one.
Colombia could advance to the second round with a win over defending champion Dominican Republic today. Canada, which opened with a 9-2 loss to the Dominicans, plays the U.S. today.
“Needless to say, I thought we were disappointed that we got out of the chute real fast, scored a run and then our bats became silent,” said Canada manager Ernie Whitt.
Former Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne, now 41 and nine years removed from his last big league appearance, relieved Rowan Wick with the bases loaded in the sixth and forced in a run with a walk. Gagne allowed one hit and struck out two in 2 1/3 innings.
“He did a great job,” Whitt said. “He was disappointed that he walked the first guy, and you never like to walk a run in, but then he bounced back and gave us some strong innings and kept us in the ballgame.”
Canada starter Nick Pivetta, a fourthround selection by Washington in the 2013 amateur draft who is now in Philadelphia’s organization, allowed one run and five hits in four innings.
In the other Pool C game Saturday, Nelson Cruz hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning as the Dominican Republic overcame a five-run deficit to beat the United States 7-5.