Jones, Hosmer advance U.S. past Canada
Adam Jones doubled in the tying and go-ahead runs in the eighth inning, Eric Hosmer hit a three-run double in the ninth and the United States beat Canada 9-4 on Sunday to advance to the second round of the World Baseball Classic in Phoenix.
Team USA trailed 3-2 after seven innings before breaking loose. Team USA and Italy advanced in Group D while Canada and Mexico were eliminated.
Jones and Hosmer both had a rough week at the plate but came through with the United States on the brink of what would have been a humbling loss. Jones’ hit was his second in nine at-bats. Hosmer was 3 for 13.
Gold Glove second baseman Brandon Phillips contributed, too, making a diving stop to prevent Canada from tying it in the eighth.
Heath Bell pitched a scoreless seventh to get the victory for manager Joe Torre’s team. Jimmy Henderson took the loss.
Canada’s Michael Saunders, of the Seattle Mariners, hit a two-run homer off starter Derek Holland and was chosen the Group D MVP, going 8 for 11 in the tournament.
The United States finished group play tied with Italy at 2-1 but gets the No. 1 seed because of its 6-2 win over Italy. The U.S. meets Puerto Rico Tuesday in Miami.
World Baseball Classic officials decided no one will be suspended because of Saturday’s nasty brawl between Canada and Mexico because the event is held only once every four years. Both teams have been eliminated from this year’s tournament.
Cano homers in win
Robinson Cano homered and the undefeated Dominican Republic beat Puerto Rico 4-2 to win its first-round group in the WBC in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico took a 2-1 lead on Mike Aviles’ two-run homer in the fourth, but Cano tied it with a solo shot in the fifth.
Fernando Rodney pitched a hitless ninth for his second save.
• Miguel Cabrera and Pablo Sandoval hit consecutive home runs for Venezuela in an 11-6 victory over Spain that came too late to matter at the World Baseball Classic in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• Two-time defending champion Japan hit a record-tying six home runs, scoring in all seven innings to rout the Netherlands 16-4 and reach the World Baseball Classic semifinals in Tokyo.
Manager Matheny to have back surgery
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny planned to leave the team Sunday and return to St. Louis for surgery to repair a ruptured disk in his lower back.
Matheny expects to be back for Thursday’s game against Atlanta.
Clearing the bases
Chone Figgins was 4 for 4 and the Miami Marlins defeated the Atlanta Braves 10-2 in Kissimmee, Fla. … Matt Cain allowed one run in three innings as the Giants beat the Brewers 6-1 in Phoenix. … Rick Porcello pitched five shutout innings and the Detroit Tigers beat the Washington Nationals 2-1 Lakeland, Fla.