FORT MYERS, FLA. – Entering Monday’s game between Italy and Canada, the Twins knew they would get someone back from the World Baseball Classic: Nick Punto or Justin Morneau and Jesse Crain.

Who knew it would be Morneau and Crain?

Italy stunned Canada 6-2 in Toronto, which meant elimination for Canada, which had lost a 6-5 heartbreaker to the United States on Saturday.

From the AP game story:

“There’s a lot of frustration,” said Morneau, who ended the game with a grounder. “We came in expecting to take a step forward and I feel like we took a little step back.”

Morneau did his part, going 4-for-5. Crain must have been electric, striking out all four batters he faced, and throwing 14 of his 18 pitches for strikes.

Crain and Morneau will be back in Twins camp by Wednesday, I’m guessing.

Punto went 0-for-5 with a walk in the leadoff spot for Italy, which plays Venezuela today at 4 p.m. (Central), with the winner advancing to the second round.

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