WBC: United States Holds Off Canada

Alex Bregman of the United States beating out a grounder against Canada

Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images

March 13, 2026

United States 5, Canada 3

HOUSTON (Mar. 13) — A five-run lead in the sixth inning gave the United States a big enough cushion to withstand a rally and hold off Canada, 5–3, in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic.

“What a great game,” United States manager Mark DeRosa said postgame. “Canada played hard. Great game all around.”

United States – Canada Game Summary

The United States took a 1–0 lead with one out in the top of the first when, with runners on second and third, Kyle Schwarber ripped a hard shot towards first. Josh Naylor, with the infield playing it, deflected it. It bounced to second baseman Edouard Julien, who sprinted to first. He beat Schwarber to the bag, but Bobby Witt Jr. scored on the play.

It became a 3–0 game in the top of the third with the bases loaded and two outs. Alex Bregman hit a bouncer in the hole. Third baseman Abraham Toro dove to his left and gloved it. He popped up to his feet, planted, and fired to first. Bregman beat the throw, bringing in the second run. And the throw went high and into the Canadian dugout, bringing in the second run on the dead-ball overthrow rules. Sixth-inning RBI singles by Brice Turang and Pete Crow-Armstrong further extended the lead to 5–0.

Not Done Yet

Canada counterpunched in the bottom of the sixth. A Tyler Black RBI single and a two-run Bo Naylor homer slashed the American lead to 5–3. But scoreless relief from David Bednar, Garrett Whitlock, and Mason Miller stifled the chance for any further rally. Bednar pitched out of a second-and-third, no-out jam. Whitlock and Miller pitched 1-2-3 innings, with Miller striking out the side. This placed the capstone on the victory, sending Canada home and the United States to the semifinals.

What Went Right for the United States

Capitalized on Their Few Opportunities

In the third inning, the United States scored two despite the ball leaving the infield only once — and that play resulting in a fielder’s choice out. Alex Bregman’s RBI infield single — and the errant throw that followed — brought in two important runs. As captain Aaron Judge put it postgame, “If we’re going to win this tournament, like we all believe we’re going to, it’s going to take more than home runs.” This inning was a prime example.

Strong Starting Pitching

Logan Webb scattered four hits across 4 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed one walk and struck out five.

Lights-out Back End Relief

The seventh, eighth, and ninth belonged to three of the best relievers in baseball. Bednar escaped a second‑and‑third, no‑out jam with a popup and two strikeouts. Whitlock followed with a composed eighth. And Mason Miller, with the stage built for him, struck out the side in order in the ninth.

DeRosa summed it up: “It’s nice to call down to the bullpen and know you’ve got closers coming in in all three innings.” Judge added, “It’s all guys that have been in tough situations, tough games, and they always find a way to figure it out.” He later said, “They’re surgeons out there.”

What Went Wrong for the United States

The Sixth Inning

This was the only real blemish of the night. Canada’s three‑run surge — Tyler Black’s RBI single and Bo Naylor’s two‑run homer — turned a comfortable lead into a close game.

What Went Right for Canada

Relentless

Canada didn’t fold after falling behind 5–0. They kept applying pressure, especially in the sixth and seventh. Manager Ernie Whitt said it plainly: “We had opportunities.” He later added, “You have to come up with some big hits. And when the opportunity presents itself, you have to execute on it.” They did in the sixth and kept pushing.

Key Double Plays

Canada ended the top of the sixth with a U5-3 double play that stopped the bleeding. They also turned a U6-3 double play to erase a leadoff walk in the ninth. Both kept them in the game.

What Went Wrong for Canada

Miscue in Third

Abraham Toro, after making a nice diving stop on Alex Bregman’s bases-loaded grounder, airmailed the throw to first. Bregman had beaten it out, but when the throw entered the dugout, it turned from a one-run play into a two-run play.

Runners Left in Scoring Position

Canada had runners on first and second with one out in the first, but back-to-back strikeouts by Owen Caissie and Abraham Toro left them stranded. They had a runner on second with two outs in the fifth, only for Josh Naylor to ground to first unassisted.

The biggest letdown for Canada came in the seventh. Down by two, they had the tying run in scoring position against Bednar: runners on second and third with one out. A Josh Naylor popup to third, followed by back-to-back strikeouts from O’Neill and Caissie, squandered the opportunity. “Sometimes you have to give credit to the pitcher,” Whitt stated.

Quotes

“It’s a stepping stone. Hopefully other Canadian ball players see it, the excitement that there is. We had a full house out there today cheering. That’s fun.

“That’s the way baseball is supposed to be played. Not everyone can be happy, though. There’s always a winner and loser. When you get into this format, someone’s gotta win and someone’s gotta lose. On this side, it’s hard to take.

“The guys are very disappointed, but I told them they’ve got nothing to hang their head about. They should walk very proudly. We represented the country the best that we could and for them to walk proud and have a good season as they go forward.” — Ernie Whitt on what Canada accomplished at the 2026 World Baseball Classic

“Guys really locked in. We saw a different level of focus at our workout the other day and then even pregame today. It felt like the boys were locked and ready to go.” — Aaron Judge on how the United States Shook Off the Disappointment of the Italy Loss and Prepared for Canada

Quick Hits

This was Canada’s deepest run in the history of the tournament. Never before had they made it out of pool play.
Ernie Whitt has managed every World Baseball Classic game Canada has ever played. He has been the manager since 2004 — and he’s native to Michigan, so he’s American.
Left-hander Clayton Kershaw has been on the United States roster all tournament in case of emergency. Though he warmed up during the Italy game, he did not enter. He will not be on the roster for the semifinals; therefore, after the game, he re-retired.

Looking Ahead

Logan Webb earned the win for the United States as Michael Soroka took the loss for Canada. Mason Miller notched the save in dominant fashion.

The United States will head to Miami for the semifinals. They will face the dangerous Dominican Republic, the team that mercy-ruled South Korea in seven innings earlier Friday. “We know what type of a team they’ve got over there. It’s an incredible offense, incredible pitching staff, bullpen. Everything is top-notch. We’re looking forward to it,” Judge said of the Dominicans. DeRosa added, “I expect it to be one of the best games of all time.”

These two will square off Sunday night, with first pitch at 8 pm Eastern.