TORONTO — With big league stars on both sides and national pride at stake, the United States and Canada gave their World Baseball Classic opener an October feel.

Adam Dunn and Brian McCann each hit a two-run homer, and Team USA held off feisty Canada, 6-5, yesterday before 42,314 at Rogers Centre to avenge a surprising loss three years ago.

"This is a playoff atmosphere," U.S. pitcher Jake Peavy said. "Everything is on the line, you're doing everything you can to win and advance in this tournament, and playing for your country just takes that through the roof. It's as good an atmosphere as it gets, I believe."

Kevin Youkilis added a solo shot and J.J. Putz closed it out in a nervous ninth inning for Team USA, which was upset by Canada in the inaugural WBC.

Despite a roster loaded with major league All-Stars, that U.S. squad stumbled to a disappointing eighth-place finish — a big reason this club has talked about taking back America's game.

LaTroy Hawkins worked a scoreless inning for the win and Putz earned the save after allowing Joey Votto's broken-bat RBI double in the ninth that cut it to 6-5 with one out. Putz then retired Justin Morneau on a grounder and got Jason Bay on a fly to right, which was caught by the Philadelphia Phillies' Shane Victorino, a St. Anthony High alum from Maui. Victorino batted 2 for 4.

The Americans can advance to the second round with a victory in its next game tonight against Venezuela. Canada will play Italy tomorrow night, hoping to avoid elimination in Group C.

NETHERLANDS SURPRISES DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Missing an injured Alex Rodriguez and several other stars, the Dominican Republic was punchless at the plate.

Sidney Ponson helped to hold the Dominican lineup in check, and the Netherlands pulled off a huge upset in its World Baseball Classic opener with a 3-2 victory yesterday.

It was a startling loss for the heavily favored Dominicans, considered contenders to win the 16-team tournament. Now, they are one defeat from elimination in Group D pool play.

"That was a team we should have trounced 9-0," Dominican Republic manager Felipe Alou said. "We haven't pressed the panic button, but we know we cannot afford the luxury of losing again."

The Netherlands scored three in the first on a wild pitch and two-run error. It had only three singles.

Ponson pitched four solid innings for the Netherlands, allowing two runs and five hits.

Next, the Dominicans will play today against Panama. Puerto Rico and the Netherlands will square off tomorrow night.

GROUP A (TOKYO)

Japan 14, South Korea 2: Ichiro Suzuki found his stroke and Japan advanced to the second round of the World Baseball Classic.

Suzuki went hitless in five at-bats as Japan struggled to beat China in the tournament opener, but had three hits and scored three times to help Japan rout South Korea in seven innings yesterday before 45,640.

Olympic champion South Korea will play China today with the winner also advancing.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, the MVP of the 2006 WBC, picked up the win after holding South Korea to two runs and four hits over four innings.

China 4, Taiwan 1: Ray Chang homered and drove in two runs to lead China to the win.

Taiwan, missing New York Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo, was eliminated from the tournament.

GROUP C (TORONTO)

Venezuela 7, Italy 0: Carlos Guillen and Melvin Mora hit solo home runs, Bobby Abreu singled in two runs in a four-run fifth inning and Venezuela defeated Italy at the World Baseball Classic.

Mora went 2 for 4 with three RBIs, and Jose Lopez went 3 for 3 with a walk and scored twice for Venezuela.

Right-hander Felix Hernandez allowed a single in four scoreless innings to earn the victory. He walked two and struck out four.

GROUP D (SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO)

Puerto Rico 7, Panama 0: Ivan Rodriguez homered twice, Carlos Delgado also connected and Puerto Rico got off to a rousing start in the World Baseball Classic.

Javier Vazquez combined with three relievers for a six-hitter in front of 17,348 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

Rodriguez, a longtime star still looking for a major league job this season, went 4 for 4 with four RBIs and scored three times.

ELSEWHERE

Mets: New York Mets ace Johan Santana doesn't see any reason why he won't be ready for opening day.

Santana, hindered last week by elbow tightness, threw 36 pitches in live batting practice yesterday before the Mets played an exhibition game against the Washington Nationals at Port St. Lucie. It was the first time he'd faced hitters since knee surgery in October, and said everything went well.

"I pitched today with no problems in my elbow or my arm or anything, so I am fine, and at the same time I was working on my pitches and I was able to command it, so that's what you want to see," Santana said.

LSU tees off: LSU had a grand day at the plate against Illinois.

Leon Landry, Nicholas Pontiff and Micah Gibbs each hit grand slams as the host Tigers became the ninth Division I team in NCAA history to hit that many in a game, beating Illinois, 22-10, yesterday.

The Tigers (10-1) tied the mark most recently accomplished by Southeast Missouri State against Freed-Hardeman in 2007. LSU is also the first Southeastern Conference team to do it.

The Tigers finished with seven homers.

Twins: Right-hander Scott Baker has agreed to a $15.25 million, four-year deal with Minnesota.

Baker, 27, went 11-4 with a 3.45 ERA in a career-best 28 starts last season.

The deal includes a $9.25 million club option for the 2013 season.