U.S. blanks Canada, advances in WBC
MIAMI — Nolan Arenado and Buster Posey homered and drove in three runs apiece to help the United States earn a berth in the second round of the World Baseball Classic with an 8-0 victory against Canada on Sunday night.
The Americans finished 2-1 in pool play and bounced back from a tough loss Saturday, when they blew a five-run lead and were beaten by the Dominican Republic 7-5. The U.S. team failed to reach the final in the three previous WBCs.
The Dominicans also advanced to the second round in San Diego by beating Colombia 10-3 in 11 innings Sunday. The Dominicans, who won the 2013 tournament, finished 3-0 in the first round. Canada went 0-3.
Danny Duffy became the third consecutive U.S. starter to turn in a scoreless outing. He struck out seven in four innings, and the only baserunners against him were Jonathan Malo and Peter Orr on consecutive two-out singles in the third. Duffy, Chris Archer and Marcus Stroman combined for 12.2 scoreless innings in their starts.
The Americans’ relievers combined for five shutout innings after giving up nine runs in 9⅓ innings in the first two games. Tyler Clippard retired all six batters he faced, striking out four.
The crowd of 22,303 was smaller and more subdued than for the games involving the Dominican Republic, but there was some flagwaving and chanting for the U.S. team.
YANKEES: Left-hander CC Sabathia found a big positive during a rocky spring training outing — no issues with his troublesome right knee. He lasted just two-thirds of an inning Sunday, allowing six runs and six hits in a 10-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves. “The body feels good,” Sabathia said.”
ROCKIES: First baseman Ian Desmond left Colorado’s spring game against Cincinnati on Sunday after he was hit by a 93 mph pitch by Rookie Davis, breaking his left hand. The Rockies say the preliminary diagnosis on Desmond is a left hand fracture, and he will see a specialist today. ORIOLES: Right-hander Chris Tillman, the team’s top starting pitcher, didn’t take his scheduled bullpen session Sunday after just 10 warmup throws caused his shoulder discomfort to crop up, manager Buck Showalter said.
INDIANS: Cleveland second baseman Jason Kipnis is likely to miss opening day because of a sore right shoulder.
REDS: Top starter Anthony DeSclafani could miss the start of the season for a second straight year because of a sore pitching elbow.
PHILLIES: Philadelphia acquired switchpitcher Pat Venditte from the Seattle Mariners for minor league outfielder Joey Curletta.