Pitching a short drive from his hometown, Gio Gonzalez will start for the United States in the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday against Puerto Rico.

The U.S. rallied with seven runs in the last two innings Sunday to advance by beating Canada 9-4 in Phoenix.

Gonzalez wasn't with the team for the first round in Arizona. The Washington Nationals' ace left camp in central Florida before the U.S. game Sunday and made the three-hour drive south.

Gonzalez grew up in Hialeah, Fla., not far from Marlins Park, the site of the second round.

The second round starts with a split doubleheader Tuesday. The Dominican Republic faces Italy in the afternoon, followed by the U.S. against Puerto Rico.