by RENALDO DORSETT
Team Great Britain was on the wrong end of the highest scoring games in World Baseball Classic history.
The scoring started early and continued for much of the game in Great Britain’s 18-8 loss to Canada Sunday afternoon at Chase Field.
Great Britain’s pitching staff surrendered a tournament record 16 walks and 18 hits in the loss.
Chavez Young moved up to the lead off spot in the lineup and finished 1-2 and scored three runs with three stolen bases
Trayce Thompson finished 1-3, and scored a run with an RBI, BJ Murray Jr finished 1-2 and scored a run, D’Shawn Knowles was 1-3 and drove in an RBI.
In total, both teams combined for 26 runs, 25 hits and 23 walks.
Runs came early and often for both teams as both teams scored every half inning through the first four frames.
Young drew a walk, stole second and eventually advanced to third on a Thompson groundout. On a double steal, Canada’s shortstop Otto Lopez bobbled the exchange trying to throw out Young at home and he reached safely for the first run. Nick Ward followed with an RBI single and Great Britain went ahead 3-0 when Sweeney singled to score Ward. GB left three on base.
As fast as the three run lead came in the top half of the inning, it was erased even quicker in the bottom half. Edouard Julien honored on the first pitch from Akeel Morris to get Canada on the scoreboard and they ended the half with a 5-3 lead.
Thompson’s RBI single was Great Britain’s only run in the second but Canada countered with an RBI double from Lopez to maintain a two run lead.
Murray led off the third and doubled on a line drive to left field. Knowles delivered in his second pinch hit appearance and doubled to centerfield to score Murray and bring Great Britain to within one.
Canada responded for the second time with a leadoff home run, this time from Owen Cassie to spark another four run inning.
With a 10-8 lead, Canada exploded for six runs in the bottom of the fourth to take an 18-6 lead.
The first scoreless half came in the top of the fifth when Canada’s Curtis Taylor struck out the side
Great Britain may be in danger of relegation for the 2026 Word Baseball Classic. The last-placed team in each pool will have to re-qualify for the next tournament. The USA and Mexico top Pool C at 1-1, Canada and Colombia are 1-0 while Great Britain is 0-2.
