World Baseball Classic Pool C Scores: U.S. Uses Power Game to Edge Canada in Opener

Kevin Youkilis went 1-2 with a solo homer and three runs scored, Brian McCann was 1-2 with a two-run blast and three RBIs and Adam Dunn hit a two-run bomb in the sixth inning that proved to be the difference as the United States opened their World Baseball Classic Pool C play with a 6-5 win over Canada on Saturday.

Canada struck first with a run in the opening inning as American starter Jake Peavy looked a bit shaky after striking out Chris Barnwell to start the game. He walked Russell Martin, gave up a single to Joey Votto that moved Martin to third and then Justin Morneau plated Martin with a groundout to first. Peavy then loaded the bases after hitting Jason Bay and walking Matt Stairs before retiring Mark Teahen on strikes to get out of the inning.

The American managed to tie the game in the bottom of the second when Brian McCann scored Kevin Youkilis on a sacrifice fly but Canada reclaimed the lead in the third as Votto collected his second hit off Peavy, this time a long solo blast to right for a 2-1 lead.

It wouldn’t be long before the American’s would put on their own power display.

Youkilis started the bottom of the fourth with a shot that barely cleared the right field wall for a homer that tied the game and after Adam Dunn walked and Ryan Braun struck out McCann hit a bomb to right that put the U.S. in front 4-2.

In the top of the sixth Canada got one of those runs back when Jason Bay opened with a walk and advanced to third on a double from Teahen and scored on a two-out wild pitch from Joel Hanrahan.

The U.S. answered in the bottom half of the frame as Youkilis drew a walk and Dunn followed with a homer to left to push the advantage to 6-3. Russell Martin hit a solo blast in the top of the seventh to cut into the American’s lead and the score would remain 6-4 heading into the ninth.

J.J. Putz was on the hill to close the door in the final inning and he got a tough first out when shortstop Jimmy Rollins made a great play on a groundball from Adam Stern. That first out was made even more significant when Martin and Votto followed with back-to-back doubles to put the score at 6-5 with one out. Morneau then followed with a hard-hit ground ball to Rollins who threw on to first for the second out and then Putz got Bay to fly out to right to end the game.

Votto had a huge day for Canada, finishing 4-5 with a homer, double and two RBIs while Martin finished the day 2-4 with a solo blast and a double. Derek Jeter was the only American with a multi-hit game going 2-3 but longballs off the bat of Youkilis, McCann and Dunn proved to be the difference.

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