(Photo: Amanda Fewer)
MIAMI – Canada’s hopes of forcing a tiebreaker game at the World Baseball Classic were erased tonight as the United States earned an 8-0 win to eliminate the Canadians from the event.
The US got to Canadian starter Ryan Dempster (Gibsons, BC) early scoring three runs in the first that included a two run double off the bat of Eric Hosmer.
Things didn’t get much better in the second as four American runs scored three of which came on a Nolan Arenado three-run homer.
Canada could muster little in the way of offence collecting just four hits, while five US pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts.
Canada did receive some solid performances on the mound including Scott Richmond (Vancouver, BC) who turned in two scoreless innings, while Kevin Chapman, Chris Leroux (Mississauga, ON) and Dustin Molleken (Regina, SK) tossed a scoreless inning each.
After failing to win a game and finishing fourth in Pool C, Canada will be forced to qualify for the next World Baseball Classic that is schedule for 2021.
