More Classic

Solano brothers lead Colombia.

MIAMI – Brothers Donovan and Jhonatan Solano, both former Marlins, provided the impetus Saturday for Team Colombia to record its first victory in the World Baseball Classic.

Donovan Solano drove in his older brother with the first of two run-scoring singles to get the Colombians started in a 4-1 win over Canada at Marlins Park. Jhonatan Solano later drew a bases-loaded walk to force in another run.

“God has blessed us greatly at the family level and the baseball level as brothers,” Donovan Solano said. “And to share with my brother the field and to be united as we have been also outside the game, it’s something that I cannot describe, and it’s something that is special that God has given us.”

Julio Teheran held Canada to one run and two hits over five innings as Colombia built on a strong showing in Friday’s 3-2 loss to the United States in 10 innings in the nation’s WBC debut. Terheran’s Atlanta Braves teammate Freddie Freeman had a run-scoring single off him in the first inning to give Canada a short-lived lead.

Teheran retired the final 13 batters he faced.

The Solano brothers have a notable history at Marlins Park, where they found themselves on opposite sides when Donovan was in his first few days with the Marlins and Jhonatan was called up for the first time by the Nationals during a series in Miami.

It was an emotional occasion with their parents in the ballpark and the brothers in big league uniforms for the first time on May 29 that year. They became the 12th and 13th Colombians to play in the major leagues when they made their debuts eight days apart.

“It’s exciting to be here again in Marlins Park, so I really enjoyed what happened today,” Donovan Solano said.

An infielder now in the Yankees organization, Donovan Solano played parts of four seasons with the Marlins. While Jhonatan, a catcher, was briefly with the Marlins in 2015, they became the first brothers to start in the same game for Miami, that May 3 at Marlins Park against the Phillies.

The Solano brothers had two hits apiece Saturday as they combined to go 4 for 8 with three RBI. Jhonatan is back in the Nationals system.