Players from Canada react on the bench during the ninth inning at the World Baseball Classic against USA at Chase Field on March 10, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. (AFP)
PHOENIX - The heart was willing but the arms were short.
Team Canada’s supposed strength, its bullpen, allowed seven runs in the final two innings as Team USA won a 9-4 thriller, before 22,425 fans at Chase Field, advancing to the second round of the World Baseball Classic, starting Tuesday night in Miami.
Canada finished the round-robin at 1-2, and in third place in its four-team pool. Italy and the U.S. advance, while Mexico, despite beating the U.S., also is eliminated.
