MIAMI, FL—For a second straight day, a Miami Marlin has homered in the World Baseball Classic. On Friday, it was from an unexpected source: Venezuela’s Javier Sanoja. On Saturday, a more traditional power hitter did the honors. Canada’s Owen Caissie hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the second inning off of Colombia pitcher Austin Bergner.
“Give the boys a little push start. It never really hurts. And really just get on the board first in these tournaments really matters,” Caissie said following the game.
Caissie hit it 403 feet with an exit velocity of 99.7 mph.
Otto Lopez started alongside Caissie, hitting fifth and playing shortstop. Lopez went 0-for-3 and worked a walk. In the bottom of the third inning, he was hit by a pitch in the right wrist area, but remained in for the rest of the game.
Canada defeated Colombia by a final score of 8-2.
Jakob Marsee and Italy played their first game of the tournament, defeating Brazil by a final score of 8-0. Marsee, who led off and played center field, went 0-for-4, working a walk and scoring a run.
In Great Britain’s second game, Ian Lewis Jr. went 0-for-2 with a walk in their 9-1 loss against the United States. Team USA starter Tarik Skubal struck Lewis out. The 23-year-old Bahamian continues to be used at shortstop.
Entering Sunday’s slate, the only Marlins on WBC rosters who have not appeared in games are Sandy Alcantara (Dominican Republic), AgustÃn RamÃrez (Dominican Republic) and Liam Hicks (Canada).