Canada’s Tyler O’Neill and Jacob Robson led their team to an 18-8 victory over Great Britain in their first game of the World Baseball Classic at Chase Field on Sunday.
O’Neill and Robson each had four hits, while Edouard Julien and Owen Caissie homered for Canada. The team also capitalized on a tournament record-tying 16 walks from Great Britain pitchers.
Canada had to overcome an early deficit as Great Britain plated three runs in the top of the first inning against starter Cal Quantrill, but they responded immediately with five runs in the bottom of the first.
In the second inning, Great Britain made it 5-4 before Canada extended their lead with a home run by Caissie and a three-run double by O’Neill in the third inning.
Great Britain’s Harry Ford hit a three-run home run in the top of the fourth to make it 10-8, but Canada registered six runs in the bottom of the fourth to extend their lead.
Curtis Taylor entered the game in the top of the fourth and struck out D’Shawn Knowles to end the frame and then struck out two of the three batters he faced in the fifth.
John Axford then tossed a perfect sixth inning for Canada, and right-hander Matt Brash struck out the side in the seventh to close out the 10-run win.
O’Neill finished the contest 4-for-4 with four runs, four RBIs, and two walks, while Robson was also 4-for-4 with three runs, an RBI, and a walk. Canada will play the United States in their second game of Pool C play on Monday night.
»Canada’s Tyler O’Neill and Jacob Robson had 4 hits each for the 18-8 mercy rule win over Britain«
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