PHOENIX — Tyler O’Neill of Maple Ridge, B.C., and Jacob Robson of Windsor, Ont., had four hits each to lead Canada to an 18-8 mercy rule win (seven innings) over Great Britain in their first game of the World Baseball Classic at Chase Field on Sunday.
Prince George's Jared Young was Canada's designated hitter. He went 0-3 at the plate with two strikeouts, but his patience at the plate earned him three of Team Canada's 16 walks. He scored a run in the fourth inning on one of those walks. Young also recorded an RBI, when his groundout to second base scored the Canadian runner at third base.
The 18 runs are the most Canada has ever scored at the tournament.
“I'd like to score 18 every game we play,” said Team Canada manager Ernie Whitt after the game.
Edouard Julien (Quebec City) and Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.) homered for Canada, while Freddie Freeman (Villa Park), Otto Lopez (Montreal) and Abraham Toro (Longueuil, Que.) had two hits each.
Canada (1-0) will play the United States in their second game of Pool C play tonight. The World Baseball Classic games are being televised on Sportsnet.
The Canadian Press/Prince George Citizen
