PHOENIX – It was a lot to ask for a 19-year-old pitcher to take on America’s powerhouse hitters. Result: Canada lost by the score of 12 to 1 after six and a half innings, Monday night, in front of 29,261 fans gathered at Chase Field.
Note that such a setback was rather predictable, because the Canadian team knew, even before the start of the tournament, that a qualification for the quarter-finals would undoubtedly have to go through victories against Great Britain, Colombia and Mexico.
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Mitch Bratt
Mitch Bratt couldn’t make it through the first run, allowing four runs and leaving two riders on the trails before being replaced by…RJ Fruere.
It was out of the question for Canada to use its best relievers against the United States. Might as well keep the best personnel possible to face the Colombians on Tuesday, then the Mexicans on Wednesday.
Fruere could not do better than Bratt, the latter having finally been credited with six earned runs in the third inning for a high average of 162.00. Manager Ernie Whitt held a long conversation on the mound with the young pitcher whom he sent to the slaughterhouse before removing him from the game.
Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout then hit a three-run homer against Freure. The United States was already leading 9-0 after the opening end.
Pay attention to the points allocated!
Despite this crushing defeat against the Americans (2-1), everything is still permitted for Canada (1-1) in Group C, especially since Colombia (1-1) suffered a surprising setback against the Great Britain (1-2), Monday afternoon. Mexico (1-1) is the fifth country in this pool. Only the top two teams will qualify for the quarter-finals.
The problem for Canada, however, lies in the points allowed per set played. If ever there should be a tie in the standings at the end of Wednesday’s matches and the records of the teams against each other cannot decide, the number of points awarded becomes crucial. In short, the Canadian team will obviously have to win against Colombia and Mexico to advance to the next round.