USA Falls to Canada, will face Japan in Bronze Medal Game of 4 Nations Cup at Saskatoon
Misses Gold Medal Game by One Run on Tiebreaker Rule
In an intense international showdown, Canada outlasted the U.S. Men’s National Team 5-2 in a game marked by strong pitching, timely hitting, and critical defensive plays. The game showcased both teams’ resilience, with Canada capitalizing on key opportunities to secure the victory.
The U.S. opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd inning when Jonathan Lynch launched a solo home run to center field off Canada’s starter Sean Cleary, giving the U.S. a 1-0 lead.
However, the U.S. offense struggled to maintain momentum. Canada answered in the bottom of the 3rd, exploiting a U.S. defensive miscue. After Colin Walsh grounded out, Brian Abrey singled, and Mitch Mckay reached on an error. A walk to Mathieu Roy loaded the bases, and Brad Ezekiel delivered a two-run single to left, scoring Mckay and Abrey. Ty Sebastian then crushed a three-run home run to left field, driving in Roy and Ezekiel to give Canada a commanding 5-1 lead.
The U.S. showed fight in the top of the 7th, sparked by Blake Milheim’s double to center. Jonathan Lynch followed with a single, advancing Milheim to third, and Tyler Johnson’s hard-hit single to third baseman M Mckay scored Milheim, narrowing the gap to 5-2.
(For a moment, it appeared that the USA had scored a third run, but interference was called on the play when the ball struck a bucket outside the USA dugout, bringing the “third run” back to third.* )
With runners on first and second, Canada’s relief pitcher J Schofield, who replaced Cleary, faced pressure but induced a fielder’s choice from N Mullins, resulting in T Johnson being out at second. B DuCharme’s strikeout ended the U.S. rally, sealing Canada’s victory.
Pitching was a highlight for both sides. Canada’s S Cleary was dominant, striking out five U.S. batters, including a three-strikeout 6th inning against Z Shaw, J Lewis, and E Ochoa. U.S. starter M Diaz pitched into the 5th, striking out four but allowing five runs, three earned, due to the error and passed balls. B Kilpatrick provided relief for the U.S. in the 6th, limiting Canada’s offense despite allowing two singles. Canada’s defense was stellar, with third baseman M Mckay and first baseman C Walsh handling multiple groundouts and a double play to stifle U.S. rallies. Offensively, Canada’s T Sebastian was the standout, going 1-for-3 with a game-changing three-run homer, while B Ezekiel’s two-RBI single proved crucial. For the U.S., J Lynch (2-for-3, HR, RBI) and B Milheim (1-for-3, double, run) led the way, but the team’s 1-for-6 performance with runners in scoring position limited their comeback hopes. Canada’s ability to capitalize on U.S. errors and deliver in clutch moments proved the difference in this 5-2 thriller.
(The following is unofficial):
*The play/interference call proved pivotal, as the third run would have advanced the USA to the gold medal game, even with the loss, but the tie breaker wound up going to New Zealand, sending the USA to the Bronze Medal game against Japan.