Canada wins big in Olympic baseball opener

The Canadian men opened their campaign in impressive fashion Wednesday, smashing the host Chinese 10-0 in a very one-sided affair. 

The Canadians, who struggled in some exhibition matches, looked very sharp and ready for these Olympics.  A blowout on Wednesday may have been exactly what the doctor ordered as Canada looks to erase the disappointment of Athens and reach the podium in Beijing.

After a very slow start to the game, the Canadian bats came alive in the fourth inning when Scott Thorman hit a three-run home run that helped open the flood gates for Canada. 

Mike Saunders hit a solo home run and Adam Stern hit two RBI and also scored twice in the blowout. 

On the other side, the pitching could not have been better as Chris Begg allowed only six hits in six innings of work before Tim Burton (not to be confused with the film producer) and Rheal Cormier came in to finish the job and preserve the shutout. 

The players couldn't have been happier with the performance.

"I think any time you put up 10 runs in a game, it's a good one," Adam Stern said. "It went as expected." 

With Canada already up 10-0 in the eighth inning, the game was stopped after two hours and 41 minutes of action. 

When the dust had settled, Canada finished with 10 runs on 10 hits leaving six men on base and no errors committed.  For veteran second basemen Stubby Clapp, getting this first win was crucial.

"The first one is always the biggest one," Clapp said. "It doesn't matter what team you're playing. Just getting those first-game jitters out." 

Let's hope that erases any jitters from here on out because the road becomes much tougher now. Canada is set to face defending Olympic champions Cuba on Thursday. 

There is no doubt the Canadians will be motivated and out for revenge, as Cuba ended Canada's dreams of gold in Athens in dramatic fashion with an unbelievable home run saving catch in 2004 that would have tied that game.  The competition is about to get really heated and for Canada and the rest of the field. It is without a doubt game on.