Canada leaned on patience at the plate and a locked-in bullpen to squeeze past Puerto Rico 3-2 on Tuesday night in Pool A action in San Juan.
Canada improved its record to 2-1, while Puerto Rico dropped to 3-1, setting up a crucial showdown for the Canadians against Cuba (2-1) on Wednesday. If Canada defeats Cuba, it would reach the WBC quarterfinals for the first time and secure the top spot in Pool A, finishing tied with Puerto Rico but holding the tiebreaker. A loss would eliminate Canada at 2-2, leaving it behind Puerto Rico and Cuba.
Puerto Rico struck first in the opening inning when Nolan Arenado punched a single to center to bring home the game’s first run. Canada answered in the third without needing a big swing, scoring twice on back-to-back RBI walks to Tyler O’Neill and Tyler Black.
The decisive run came an inning later. Owen Caissie doubled and scored on Abraham Toro’s single to right for a 3-1 edge. Puerto Rico cut it to one in the bottom half on Martin Maldonado’s RBI groundout, but that was the last time either team crossed the plate.
Canada starter Jordan Balazovic worked the first three innings, allowing one run on one hit with three walks and four strikeouts. Logan Allen and Brock Dykxhoorn followed with three solid innings apiece, and Canada earned a save. Puerto Rico starter Jose De Leon allowed two runs and two hits in 2 2/3 innings, with six relievers finishing up.
Israel 6, Netherlands 2
Israel broke open a tight game with a five-run sixth inning and pulled away to beat the Netherlands in Pool D play in Miami. Both teams were eliminated from contention for the knockout rounds ahead of the game.
Jake Gelof’s two-run single gave Israel the lead for good, and Matt Mervis followed with a two-run double. Both teams wrapped up their Pool D play, with Israel finishing third at 2-2 and the Netherlands fourth at 1-3.
