Canada’s World Baseball Classic journey has come to an end.
After winning Pool A and advancing from the first round of the WBC for the first time, Canada dropped Friday’s quarterfinal matchup with Team USA, 5-3, despite a late comeback effort.
The U.S. opened the scoring in the first inning, when Kyle Schwarber grounded out against Canadian starter Michael Soroka with a runner on third, bringing home Bobby Witt Jr.
Canada’s deficit grew after the Americans added a pair of runs in the third and sixth innings.
Soroka was chased in the third by an Alex Bregman single to a diving Abraham Toro with the bases loaded. Canada’s third baseman secured the ball but got to his feet and sailed the throw, allowing two runners to score.
In the bottom of the sixth, Canada found some momentum at the plate, with Tyler Black collecting an RBI single right before Bo Naylor launched a two-run shot to cut the deficit to two.
But the Canadians couldn’t put the final touches on more history in the final three frames.
Canada squandered a golden opportunity in the seventh when U.S. reliever David Bednar stranded runners at second and third by retiring Josh Naylor, Tyler O’Neill and Owen Caissie in order.
The United States will now travel to face the Dominican Republic in the WBC semifinals on Sunday in Miami.
More to come.
