THE CANADIAN PRESS
SANTIAGO, Panama — Ryan Searle allowed only three hits as Australia shut out Canada 7-0 at the Baseball World Cup on Tuesday.
Searle went 7 1/3 innings for the Aussies, striking out six and only walking one batter.
"(Searle) threw strikes," said Canadian manager Ernie Whitt. "He was ahead of our hitters all day long and you have to tip your cap to him.
"He was aggressive in the zone and we weren’t."
Left-fielder Tim Kennelly got three hits, including a double and a solo homer for Australia, which jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning off Canadian starter Nick Bucci. After an error and walk, a single to centre field brought in the first run of the ballgame.
Bucci struggled with a high-pitch count and was removed from the game in the third inning after suffering discomfort in his throwing arm.
"Bucci didn’t have his best stuff today," said Whitt. "It started with a misplayed ground ball and then a lack of communication in the outfield on another play. It just wasn’t a sharp game for us at all."
Kennelly homered in the third and Australia added three more runs in the fourth. Before the top of sixth was done the Aussies were ahead 7-0.
"The intensity level wasn’t there today as it should’ve been," added Whitt. "We have to regroup and come back out ready tomorrow."
Canada (2-2) next plays South Korea on Wednesday.
"The Koreans play a very fundamentally sound game," said Whitt. "We need to bring some more intensity.
"We’ll make some changes and see what happens."
