masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgWith Team USA two innings and a few outs away from losing today, and getting eliminated from the World Baseball Classic, Orioles center fielder Adam Jones delivered what could turn out to be a tourney-saving hit.

Jones’ two-run double to left-center off Canada pitcher Jimmy Henderson in the top of the eighth turned a 3-2 USA deficit into a 4-3 lead and was one of the biggest hits of the tournament. Shane Victorino followed with an RBI single as Team USA moved in front 5-3 heading to the last…With Team USA two innings and a few outs away from losing today, and getting eliminated from the World Baseball Classic, Orioles center fielder Adam Jones delivered what could turn out to be a tourney-saving hit.

Jones’ two-run double to left-center off Canada pitcher Jimmy Henderson in the top of the eighth turned a 3-2 USA deficit into a 4-3 lead and was one of the biggest hits of the tournament. Shane Victorino followed with an RBI single as Team USA moved in front 5-3 heading to the last of the eighth. Canada is the home team for this game.

Should the USA win, the Americans will advance to the second round, which starts Tuesday in Miami.

Jones went 0-for-3 with a walk Friday as Mexico beat Team USA. He went 1-for-3 with a single, walk and run scored Saturday in the Americans’ win over Italy.

So far today, he is 1-for-2 with three RBIs. He came through with a sac fly in the fourth inning.

Update: Jones’ huge hit seemed to open the floodgates for the dormant American offense as Team USA posted a 9-4 win, scoring three runs in the eighth and four in the ninth. Now the USA advances to the second round.

Jones is 2-for-9 in the tournament but that second hit was probably the biggest of this event for the Americans, who were looking at a last-place finish and 1-2 record in Pool D with a loss today.