After the 2011 IBAF Baseball World Cup saw a new winner with the Netherlands, the baseball tournament at the 2011 Pan American Games saw another surprise finish. Canada defeated Team USA 2-1 in the finals at Panamerican Stadium in Lagos de Moreno, Mexico on Tuesday to win a Gold Medal at an International Baseball event at the senior level for the first time ever. A two-out two-run double by Jimmy van Ostrand in the top of the sixth inning backed a strong outing by starting pitcher Andrew Albers (6 2/3 innings, 8 strikeouts) and lifted the Maple Leafs into first place.
Cuba, which had won the last ten Gold Medals at Pan American Games, had to settle for third place, shutting out host Mexico 6-0. Cuba had lost 10-12 to the United States in an epic semi-final on Monday. The team of manager Ernie Young came out swinging and led 12-2 midway through the fourth before Cuba tried to stage a rally, which fell short eventually. Canada overcame a 0-3 deficit in their semi-final against Mexico to advance with a 5-3 victory. The Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Panama also participated.
Final Standings:
- Canada
- USA
- Cuba
- Mexico
- Dominican Republic
- Venezuela
- Puerto Rico
- Panama