Team Canada's Hardy hammered by Reds ahead of WBC By Bob Elliott, QMI Agency

PHOENIX - Team Canada pitcher Mark Hardy found out first-hand here on Wednesday night that the Cincinnati Reds are not the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Frisco RoughRiders or the Corpus Christi Hooks.

Against the Reds, in an exhibition game for the World Baseball Classic, the San Diego Padres farmhand allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk in 1.2 innings in a 12-2 thumping at Goodyear Ballpark before 5,012 fans.

Trystan Magnuson took over and allowed three-run homers to Ryan Ludwick and Miguel Olivo.

Adam Loewen tagged Reds’ hard-throwing right-hander Mat Latos for a two-run homer to left in the second for Canada’s only two runs.

Canada managed four hits with Taylor Green hitting a double while Tyson Gillies and Rene Tosoni each singled.

R.J. Swindle and Phillippe Aumont each had scoreless innings as the Reds pounded out 18 hits.

Canada begins the WBC round-robin on Friday against Italy.