Revenge is sweet for US at WBC

TORONTO: The United States flexed their muscles and slammed three home runs to edge Canada 6-5 in their World Baseball Classic opener on Saturday, taking the first step towards restoring pride in the national pastime.

While the United States avoided the upset, another of the tournament favorites could not - the Dominican Republic were upset 3-2 by the Netherlands in a Pool D clash in Puerto Rico.

The baseball minnows jumped out to a 3-0 first inning lead against the Dominican's line-up of major leaguers, then held on to claim what was hailed as their greatest baseball victory.