Team USA (3-1; 1-0) jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning with a Josh Kroeger RBI fielder's choice. Terry Tiffee followed with a two-run double to right, and Jon Weber then placed a double down the left-field line to score Tiffee and give the U.S. a four-run lead.
Back-to-back RBI doubles over the right fielder's head by Tiffee and Weber extended the U.S. lead to six in the third inning. Weber later added his third RBI of the night with a single to center in the fifth.
Pedro Alvarez hit a home run to deep right field in the seventh inning, capping the scoring for an 8-0, Team USA victory.
U.S. starter Luebke (1-0) was nearly perfect, yielding only a walk and hitting a batter before surrendering his only hit of the night when Canada's Chris Robinson lined a single to center with two outs in the eighth. Luebke received the win in his first 2009 World Cup appearance. Geno Espinelli finished the game off for the U.S., striking out one in 1 1/3 innings.
Tiffee and Weber both finished the game, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs each.
The U.S. will face Netherlands Antilles (2-2; 0-1), Monday, September 14 at 8 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET) at Stadio Gavagnin in Verona, Italy. Kasey Kiker is scheduled to take the mound for the Red, White and Blue.
Game Notes:
The game lasted two hours and 23 minutes.
With his one-hitter, Luebke tied the USA Baseball World Cup record for fewest hits allowed in a single game. Luebke holds a piece of the record with Hank Woodman (2003), Jon Cannon (2003) and Jason Phillips (2001).
Jon Weber's double in the third inning was his 50th double of the season between the Triple-A Durham Bulls and the World Cup Team.
