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| Miller / Photo=GettyImages |
[Sports Today reporter Shin Seo-young] The U.S. baseball team advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC).
Managed by Mark DeRosa, the U.S. beat Canada 5-3 in the tournament’s quarterfinal on the 14th (Korean time) at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas.
With the win, the U.S. moves on to face the Dominican Republic — which routed South Korea 10-0 under the mercy rule — for a spot in the final.
Canada reached the quarterfinals after going 3-1 in the opening round, but its run ended at the hands of the U.S.
U.S. starter Logan Webb earned the win, working 4.2 innings while allowing four hits, one walk and striking out five with no runs allowed.
Offensively, Bryce Turang led the way, going 2-for-3 with an RBI, a walk and a strikeout. Pete Crow-Armstrong also chipped in with two hits and an RBI in four at-bats.
Canada’s starter Michael Soroka took the loss, surrendering three runs (two earned) on four hits with two walks and one strikeout over 2.2 innings.
The U.S. struck first. In the bottom of the first, leadoff hitter Bobby Witt Jr. battled Soroka to a nine-pitch full count before drawing a walk. Bryce Harper flew out to center, but Aaron Judge followed with an RBI single to left that put runners at second and third with one out. On the next play, Kyle Schwarber grounded out to bring home the run and give the U.S. a 1-0 lead.
The momentum continued for the U.S. In the top of the third, Pete Crow-Armstrong reached on an infield hit. After two outs, Judge walked and Schwarber added an infield single to load the bases. Alex Bregman then punched a grounder to third; a throwing error allowed two runs to score and extended the U.S. lead.
The Americans put the game further out of reach in the sixth. With one out and runners at first and second, Bryce Turang delivered an RBI single off reliever Mako. Crow-Armstrong then ripped the first pitch he saw for another RBI, pushing the score to 5-0.
Canada mounted a comeback. In the bottom of the sixth, Owen Casey drew a walk and advanced to second on a grounder. He later scored on Tyler Black’s RBI single to left. Gabe Speier was called in to relieve, but Bo Naylor followed with a two-run homer to cut the deficit to 5-3.
With a slim lead intact, the U.S. turned to closer Mason Miller in the ninth. Miller struck out the side — Jared Young, Edouard Julien and Otto Lopez — to shut the door and secure the win.
[Sports Today reporter Shin Seo-young sports@stoo.com]
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