Port Hope native Cal Quantrill earned the win on the mound for Canada in a 7-2 victory over Cuba on Wednesday afternoon at the World Baseball Classic in Puerto Rico.
It was a must-win game for Canada to advance to the playoff round for the first time at the WBC. A 3-1 record clinched first place in Pool A due to a head-to-head tiebreaker with Puerto Rico (also 3-1) while a loss would’ve eliminated Canada from the competition.
Quantrill got the start against Cuba (which finished 2-2) and pitched five innings, allowing two hits and an unearned run while striking out five. He made a throwing error on a pickoff attempt at first base that eventually led to his only run against.
Quantrill is currently signed to the MLB’s Texas Rangers on a minor league deal and has also pitched for San Diego, Cleveland, Colorado, Miami and Atlanta.
His father and former MLB pitcher, Paul Quantrill of Port Hope, is Canada’s pitching coach for the WBC.
The quarterfinals are scheduled for Friday and Saturday in Houston and Miami followed by the semifinals Sunday and Monday in Miami and the championship game on Tuesday, also in Miami.
Canada is expected to play its quarterfinal Friday at 8 p.m. in Houston.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
