THE CANADIAN PRESS
AGUADULCE, Panama — Toronto’s Tim Smith and Ottawa’s Chris Bisson each belted home runs Tuesday and Canada pounded 14 hits in defeating Greece 12-2 at the Baseball World Cup.
The win gives Canada a perfect 3-0 record and the lead in the Pool A standings at tournament.
"The biggest thing today was focusing on the task at hand," Canadian manager Ernie Whitt said. "Everyone got their work in and we were able to rest some guys at the same time."
Skyler Stromsmoe of Bow Island, Alta., opened the scoring for Canada in the second inning when he reached first base on a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded.
The Canadians added to the lead in the third as Smith led off the inning with a solo blast that cleared the wall in right field. Smith was an offensive force for Canada, falling a triple short of the cycle and picking up two RBIs.
"Tim’s swinging the bat real well for us right now which is great to see," Whitt said. "He’s doing a great job and we hope that it continues as the tournament moves on."
Starting pitcher Mark Hardy of Campbell River, B.C., was solid through three innings before Greece got to him in the fourth with two runs.
Canada responded with four runs in the fifth, including an RBI single from Jonathan Malo of Joliette, Que., who went 3-for-4 on the day to go along with two RBIs.
Jay Johnson of Sussex Corner, N.B., made his second relief appearance in as many days, striking out three over two scoreless innings.
Canada added to the lead in the sixth as Bisson hit a three-run homer to right in his first at-bat of the tournament.
With four round-robin games remaining in Pool A play, Canada has a chance to take the No. 1 seed.
"There’s no question we want to finish first in our pool," Whitt said. "Our job as coaches is to keep the players focused. As I said at the beginning (of camp) this is not a marathon, it’s a sprint so it’s full steam ahead all the way through."
Notes: Nick Bucci of Sarnia, Ont., will make his first start of the tournament against Taiwan on Thursday. … Canadian pitching coach Denis Boucher of Lachine, Que., will be inducted into the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Boucher will be inducted along with hockey great Patrick Roy.
