Canada opens WBC with convincing win over Colombia

A run-saving defensive play by brothers Josh and Bo Naylor boosted Canada in the first inning at San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Owen Caissie hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the second off emergency starter Austin Bergner after Julio Teheran was scratched. A 35-year-old right-hander who last pitched in the major leagues in 2024, Teheran felt right shoulder impingement while warming up.

Canada won its opener 8-2, while Colombia dropped to 0-2 in Group A.

Michael Arroyo led off the game with a single off Michael Soroka, stole second and took third on a wild pitch. Reynaldo Rodriguez grounded to first baseman Josh Naylor, who threw to brother Bo at the plate for the tag.

That was one of four Colombia outs on the bases. Rodriguez and Jesus Marriaga were caught stealing by Bo Naylor and Daniel Vellojin was thrown out trying to reach second on a dropped fly ball in the ninth inning.

Arroyo cut Colombia’s deficit with an RBI single in the third off Soroka, who allowed four hits in three innings. Abraham Toro restored a two-run lead with a bases-loaded walk in the bottom half from Emerson Martinez.

Josh Naylor had an run-scoring single in the seventh that drove in Denzel Clarke, his cousin, after Marriaga dropped Clarke’s fly to right for an error.

Harold Ramírez had an RBI double for Colombia in the eighth. With two on and two out, Gio Urshela swung and missed at three straight sliders from Eric Cerantola.

Toro had an RBI triple in a four-run bottom half and scored on Bo Naylor’s single.

Phillippe Aumont, who last pitched in the major leagues in 2015, struck out Tito Polo for the final out.

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