Cary, North Carolina- After rain wiped away two games on Monday, Canada played Team USA in two seven inning contests in the final tune-up games before the start of the Pan Am Games/ World Cup Qualifier in Puerto Rico from October 1st-13th.
In game one, Canada received some solid pitching and built a four run lead, before Team USA came back to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh which would end the game in a 5-5 tie. In the second game, Canada was held off the score sheet and Team USA used the long ball to come out on top 11-0. In both games the seventh inning was played using the international tie-break rule where the team batting starts with runners on second and third with nobody out.
Game one starter Phillippe Aumont (Gatineau, QC) was impressive as he threw only 27 pitches in three innings of work, giving up one hit while striking out one batter.
“Aumont threw the ball very well today,” said Manager Ernie Whitt. “I was very happy with his performance; he threw strikes and was very efficient.”
Canada got on the board in the fifth inning when Cole Armstrong (Surrey, BC) hit a bases loaded, opposite-field double that would cash in two runs with nobody out. Jonathan Malo (Joliette, QC) kept the inning going with an RBI single and to cap things off Pete Orr (Richmond Hill, ON) smacked and RBI double to put Canada out to a 4-0 lead.
Steve Green (Greenfield Park, QC) relieved Aumont in the fourth and was equally impressive as he threw three scoreless innings which saw him fan four batters, Green was also the beneficiary of some stellar Canadian defensive play, in particular from the middle infield duo of Malo and Orr who were in on two separate double plays.
In the seventh inning with the international tie-break rule in effect, Taylor Green (Comox, BC) would score a run when a sure-fire double play ball got under the US second baseman’s glove and rolled into the outfield.
Team USA took full advantage of their turn with the tie-break rule when they advanced the runners to second and third base with a sacrifice bunt. A walk followed to load the bases only to see Mike Moustakas rip a Chris Kissock (Trail, BC) offering over the wall for a grand-slam.
“I didn’t like our tie-break situation,” explained Whitt. “But at the same time it was good for us to practice it.”
In game two, with Canada as the home team, National Team veteran Mike Johnson (Edmonton, AB) took the ball and went to work as he didn’t allow a hit or a walk and struck out three batters in two innings of work.
“It’s nice to have that veteran feel out there with Green and Johnson,” said Whitt. “The biggest thing is they threw strikes and that will keep you out of trouble.”
Canada however, could not manufacture any offence during the game and were held at bay by Team USA pitching who only gave up five hits during the game. One bright spot on offence was Malo who had two singles in game two.
Tim Burton (Ottawa, ON) took over on the mound and gave up a run in the third inning before Eric Hosmer went deep over the centre field wall to give Team USA a 3-0 cushion.
Team USA would add to their lead with one run in both the sixth and seventh innings to give themselves a comfortable 5-0 lead.
Canada had its best chance to score in the seventh inning with the bases loaded and none out, but was unable to put a run across.
Again, Team USA used the tie-break rule to its favour by tacking on six more runs in their final at-bat which was highlighted by a Cord Phelps homerun.
Although Canada lost the second game, they were able to accomplish all of the things they wanted to in the pre-tournament games.
“The goal of the games here is to get back into the swing of things,” said Malo. “I think we were fine today, they just hit the ball pretty good in the second game, but overall I think we did well.”
Canada will travel to San Juan Puerto Rico on Wednesday and have a couple workouts before beginning the tournament on October 2nd.
Notes: Canada first game will be against Nicaragua at Isidoro Garcia de Mayaguez in Puerto Rico with the first pitch scheduled for 1pm ET…For the complete schedule please click here.
