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For the third time in less than a month, the Americans have crushed Canadian sporting dreams on the world stage.
After dramatic victories over Canada in the men’s and women’s Olympic hockey gold medal games, Team USA defeated Canada in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, 5-3.
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Denzel Clarke #1 of Team Canada reacts after striking out during the fifth inning against Team USA at Daikin Park on March 13, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
Behind a strong start from American pitcher Logan Webb and timely hitting throughout the lineup, the Americans attacked early and then held on as Canada attempted a comeback in the sixth inning at Daikin Park.
The United States took a 5-0 lead in the sixth inning, with RBIs from Kyle Schwarber, Alex Bregman, Brice Turange and Pete Crow-Armstrong. But Canada got back into the game in the bottom of the sixth, with Tyler Black’s RBI single and Bo Naylor’s two-run homer.
The Canadians had a sure chance to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh, with two men on and no outs, but failed to score after a fly out and then two strikeouts.
Edouard Julien #15 of Team Canada slides to second base against Brice Turang #13 of Team USA during the fifth inning at Daikin Park on March 13, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Reliver Mason Miller closed the game for the United States in the ninth inning.
The United States now advances to the semifinal round against the Dominican Republic and Canada will have to enjoy another bitter loss to the United States in a major international tournament, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions between the countries.
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U.S. team manager Mark DeRosa revealed that U.S. hockey hero Jack Hughes, who scored the winning goal in the gold medal game against Canada at the Olympics, approached U.S. baseball players before Friday’s game.
Jack Hughes celebrates with the American flag after scoring Team USA’s second goal in overtime to win gold on February 22, 2026. (REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo)
“Jack Hughes sent the guys a nice little excited message that I posted in their group chat,” DeRosa said during a press conference Thursday before the game.
“I know there’s some talk about sending out some hockey jerseys tomorrow for the guys to wear during practice or in the clubhouse.”
