Naylor brothers' defence, Cassie's 2-run homer lead Canada over Colombia 8-2

Canada cruised to an 8-2 win over Colombia in their World Baseball Classic opener in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Saturday.

A run-saving defensive play by brothers Josh and Bo Naylor boosted Canada in the first inning, and Owen Cassie hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the second off emergency starter Austin Bergner after Julio Teheran was scratched.

A 35-year-old right-hander who last pitched in the major leagues in 2024, Teheran felt right shoulder impingement while warming up.

Michael Arroyo led off the game with a single off Michael Soroka, stole second and took third on a wild pitch. Reynaldo Rodriguez grounded to first baseman Josh Naylor, who threw to brother Bo, both from Mississauga, Ont., at the plate for the tag.

That was one of four Colombia outs on the bases. Rodriguez and Jesus Marriaga were caught stealing by Bo Naylor and Daniel Vellojin was thrown out trying to reach second on a dropped fly ball in the ninth inning.

Arroyo cut Colombia's deficit with an RBI single in the third off Soroka, who allowed four hits in three innings. Abraham Toro restored a two-run lead with a bases-loaded walk in the bottom half from Emerson Martinez.

Josh Naylor had a run-scoring single in the seventh that drove in Toronto's Denzel Clarke, a cousin, after Marriaga dropped Clarke's fly to right for an error.

Harold Ramirez had an RBI double in the eighth. With two on and two outs, Gio Urshela swung and missed at three straight sliders from Eric Cerantola.

Toro had an RBI triple in a four-run bottom half and scored on Bo Naylor's single.

Winner Phillippe Aumont of Gatineau, Que., who last pitched in the major leagues in 2015, struck out Tito Polo for the final out.

Colombia dropped to 0-2 in Group A. Both teams are in action again