Saunders’ blast leads Canadians past Brewers
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Digital Subscription
One year of digital access for only $205*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/03/2013 (4919 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
PHOENIX — Michael Saunders is finally getting his chance to show off the power Canada was missing at the last World Baseball Classic.
Shoulder surgery meant Saunders had to watch from home as Canada’s offence faded at the 2009 tournament. Now healthy and with the team, the Seattle Mariners outfielder hit Canada’s lone home run in a 7-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in an exhibition game Tuesday.
“I’m really excited. It’s always fun to see the guys again,” said Saunders, who said he welcomed the chance to make his WBC debut with the team he called “a little fraternity.”
“Whether it’s WBC or whatever, we feel like we all know each other, we feel like we haven’t missed a beat and we have great team chemistry and that’s something that’s going to help us in this tournament,” he added.
Canada used the game to start working out the kinks with opening-round play set to start Friday against Italy. Saunders said he was impressed with Canada’s patience at the plate against the Brewers, with 10 walks and just three strikeouts.
“We’re going to grind out at-bats for sure,” said the Victoria native. “I think on paper we can compete with anybody. We’re not coming in a powerhouse, however we’re not a team to be forgotten about either.”
A four-run eighth inning provided manager Ernie Whitt and his coaching staff reason to be optimistic moving forward.
Trailing 4-3, Canada loaded the bases before centre-fielder Tyson Gillies tied the game with an RBI single. Brewers reliever Michael Gonzalez then walked shortstop Jonathan Malo to score another run.
Canada added two more when Jimmy Van Ostrand scored second baseman Pete Orr, and Gillies made it 7-4 after touching home on a wild pitch from Gonzalez.
“I think they had good plate appearances and that’s what we want,” said Whitt. “Again, I look for the three through six hitters and the other guys filling in and doing what they can do to contribute. To me it’s a pretty good team.”
— The Canadian Press
Advertisement Advertise With Us