Canada exits WBC in the First Round, Again

After a dominant win on Saturday over Mexico Saturday that featured a wild bench-clearing brawl, Team Canada took on the U.S.A. Sunday with hopes of advancing  to the second round of the World Baseball Classic for the first time ever.

The heavily favoured Americans have looked very normal through their first two games of the tournament, while Canada was trying to carry over the momentum of their big win over the Mexicans.

After leading 2-0 on a second inning shot by Michael Saunders the Canadians were looking well on their way to doing the seemingly impossible.

A few American runs tied the game up but Adam Loewen delivered a huge base hit for Canada in the bottom of the sixth to regain the lead at 3-2 driving in Joey Votto.

A three run top of the eighth inning for Team USA put the home team back on top 5-4.  A nail-biting bottom of the eighth saw Adam Loewen at bat with the bases loaded get a RBI scoring a run for Canada to bring the game within one run.

When Team USA got the final out of the eighth it came over me, this was the most exciting baseball game i had been emotionally invested in that i could remember.  Whether its due strictly to the National pride i have or it was in part due to the Blue Jays off-season franchise altering moves, it didn’t matter, baseball in my eyes was back in the forefront.

The top of the ninth inning had a quick American run making it 6-4 and forced Canada manager Ernie Whitt to bring in his big closer to try and shut things down.  John Axford took the mound with one out and runners on first and second and loaded the bases with an infield single.  He followed  that by allowing a three run bases clearing double that put Team USA up 9-4 before getting the third out.

Canada had the top of their lineup heading to bat in the bottom of the ninth, and they needed every last bit of offence they could muster now trailing by five runs.  Canada needed a miracle, and it wasn’t meant to be.  An inspiring game nonetheless, another loss and and another first round exit for Canada from the WBC.

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