Teheran, Colombia beat Canada 4-1 in World Baseball Classic

MIAMI — Colombia managed to rebound after wasting a lead and losing its World Baseball Classic opener to the United States.

Julio Teheran allowed a run-scoring single in the first to Atlanta teammate Freddie Freeman, then retired his final 13 batters Saturday in a 4-1 win over Canada.

The Colombians had led the U.S. 2-0 in the sixth before losing 3-2 in 10 innings.

“Friday’s game was very emotional, but the guys maintained the same focus and energy,” Colombia manager Luis Urueta said. “I am very proud how they responded. The players keep playing hard.”

Donovan Solano had a pair of RBI singles, the first driving in brother Jhonatan Solano from second base in the third inning. The latter scored Tito Polo with two outs in the fifth against Ryan Kellogg (0-1) for a 2-1 lead.

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Colombia could advance to the second round with a win over defending champion Dominican Republic on Sunday.

“I’m very happy about the support we’ve been receiving,” Solano said. “We have dreamed about this for a long time — to represent the country the same way as the national football team. The country unites to watch the football team. That many Colombians are following us is very special. We have the faith and conviction that we can advance.”

Canada, which opened with a 9-2 loss to the Dominicans, plays the U.S. on Sunday.

Teheran (1-0) allowed one run and two hits in five innings, struck out three and walked one.

“Julio struggled a bit at the beginning with his command, but since he is a veteran he kept his cool,” Urueta said. “He made the necessary adjustments and he gave us five solid innings to help keep us in the game.”

Yohan Pino relieved Teheran and pitched three scoreless innings, and Dayan Diaz struck out the side in the ninth around two singles for the save.

“Needless to say, I thought we were disappointed that we got out of the chute real fast, scored a run and then our bats became silent,” Canada manager Ernie Whitt said.

Former Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne, now 41 and nine years removed from his last big league appearance, relieved Rowan Wick with the bases loaded in the sixth and forced in a run with a walk to Jhonatan Solano. Gagne allowed one hit and struck out two in 2 1/3 innings.

“He did a great job,” Whitt said. “He was disappointed that he walked the first guy. And you never like to see walk a run in but then he bounced back and gave us some strong innings and kept us in the ballgame.”

Jhonatan Solano scored from second on a throwing error by reliever Scott Mathieson in the ninth.

Canada starter Nick Pivetta, a fourth-round selection by Washington in the 2013 amateur draft who is now in Philadelphia’s organization, allowed one run and five hits in four innings.

Notes: Canada OF Dalton Pompey left the game after getting hit in the face on a successful steal of second base in the sixth. Pompey, who bled from the nose, experienced dizziness, according to Whitt.

The Associated Press