World Baseball Classic: Puerto Rico’s imperfectly perfect game
By Bill Felber
World Baseball Classic: United States 12, Canada 1
Team USA recovered in nuclear fashion from its disappointing Sunday defeat at the hands of Mexico. The U.S. team scored nine times in the first inning, leaving Canada no realistic hope of catching up.
Nineteen-year-old Canada starter Mitch Bratt, a Rangers prospect, and reliever R.J. Freure, formerly in the Braves system, were the sacrificial victims. Bratt surrendered a leadoff hit to Mookie Betts, walked Mike Trout and Paul Goldschmidt, then threw a pitch that Nolan Arenado rocketed down the line in left for the first two runs.
A sacrifice fly, a walk and a single later and Bratt was done, to be replaced by Freure. He had no better luck. Before the inning was out, Cedric Mullins had tripled another run home and Trout hit a three-run bomb into the left-center seats to complete the nine-spot.
There was little letup in the second when the U.S. added three more runs on a walk, a Tim Anderson triple, a sacrifice fly and a Trea Turner home run.
Apparently fatigued by their initial energy outburst, the USA hitters failed to score the rest of the game. It didn’t matter. This game, too, was terminated by the mercy rule, in this case in the seventh inning.
The victory moves Team USA into a tenuous first place in Group C at 2-1. Canada, Colombia and Mexico are all 1-1, with Great Britain at 1-2.
That U.S. hold on first in the group is certain to be compromised Tuesday when Canada plays Colombia. The winner will also be 2-1. Mexico can also get to 2-1 if it beats Great Britain.