USA eliminates Canada to set up WBC semifinal vs. Dominicans

Team USA knocked Canada out of the World Baseball Classic with a 5-3 win in Friday's quarterfinal in Houston to set up a heavyweight semifinal matchup with the Dominican Republic.

Logan Webb threw 4 2/3 shutout innings, and star closer Mason Miller struck out the side in the ninth inning to end the game for the heavily-favored Americans.

"What a great game," USA manager Mark DeRosa said. "Canada played hard. Great game all around."

The Canadians had a chance to tie the contest in the seventh but couldn't capitalize with a runner on second and third with nobody out. Reliever David Bednar retired the next three hitters, including slugger Owen Caissie to end the frame as the American fans chanted "U-S-A, U-S-A."

"You know, you have to come up with some big hits," Canada manager Ernie Whitt said. "And when the opportunity presents itself, you have to execute on it. Sometimes you have to give credit to the pitcher."

Webb picked up the win, allowing four hits with one walk and five strikeouts while pitching into the fifth inning without surrendering a run.

Canada got a two-run homer from Bo Naylor in the defeat. Michael Soroka took the loss after giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits with two walks and one strikeout across 2 2/3 innings.

"I thought he was fine," Whitt said of Soroka. "I thought he threw the ball well. We were on a 60-pitch limit with him. He gave us three solid innings."

The U.S. will now face the Dominican Republic in Sunday's star-studded semifinal (8 p.m. ET) in Miami.

The Americans will start reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, while the Dominican Republic is countering with former All-Star Luis Severino.

"I like any game that Paul Skenes pitches," U.S. captain Aaron Judge said. "It's just incredible stuff. Watching him work on his craft the past couple weeks has been incredible. Seeing him in that game against Mexico, where it's an electric environment, he just toed the slab and went out and took care of business. It was really impressive.

"Looking forward to seeing him get out there and do his thing. And then we hand it over to the bullpen of ours, it's going to be a tough fight."

The Dominicans rolled past Korea 10-0 in Friday's first elimination game. The Latin American powerhouse is a perfect 5-0 in the tournament, outscoring their opponents 51-10.

"I expect it to be like one of the best games of all time," DeRosa said.