Mark James continued to improve as the June 7 major-league draft approaches.
James (Whitby, Ont.) threw five scoreless innings and combined with three other pitchers on a five-hit 6-0 shutout over the Seattle Mariners Rookie-Class Dominican Summer league team at Villa Mella, in the Dominican Republic.
James allowed five hits while striking out two batters. Michael Wilson (Pickering, Ont.), Drew Parker (Surrey, B.C.) and Kyle Orr (Victoria, B.C.) held the Mariners, team hitless over the remaining four innings, allowing three walks while striking out three batters.
1B Nick Weglarz (Stevensville, Ont.) and SS Phil Carey (London, Ont.) each homered. Weglarz hit a two-run homer in the seventh, while Carey finished the game with a three-run homer.
Kevin Atkinson (Surrey, B.C.) singled to score Carey, who was hit by a pitch, stole second base and moved to third on a ground out for a 1-0 lead.
Canada is playing seven games on its tour of the Dominican.
Manager Greg Hamilton and his national junior team staff is in the process of picking his team for the Americas qualification tournament for the 2006 World Junior AAA Championship Sept. 2-11, in Hermosa, Mex.
In August, Canada will play an exhibition series in Atlanta, Ga., against Team USA as a tune-up.
