USA Beats Canada To Advance In World Baseball Classic

Joe Mauer sparked a pair of rallies with leadoff hits to lead the United States past Canada Sunday in Arizona.

The United States (2-1) advances to the next round of the World Baseball Classic with a 9-4 win over Canada (1-2) Sunday in Arizona. Canada is eliminated from the tournament.

Mauer led of each of the fourth and eighth innings with singles for the United States, who scored two runs in each of those innings. Mauer finished the game 2-4, as did Twins teammate Justin Morneau of Canada. Morneau finishes the tourney with a .636 average.

Eric Hosmer's bases-clearing double in the top of the ninth gave the US all the breathing room they needed to hold on for the win.