WBC roundup: Mexico blasts Canada to claim Pool C

 

[March 16, 2023]  Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena doubled twice and drove in five runs as Mexico routed Canada 10-3 on Wednesday in Phoenix to win Pool C in the World Baseball Classic.

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rowdy Tellez added a two-run single and a solo homer for Mexico, which finished 3-1 in group play. Canada, which fell to 2-2, would be eliminated Wednesday night if the United States (3-1) defeats Colombia (1-2).

Canada got solo homers from Minnesota Twins minor-leaguer Edouard Julien and Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor.

Mexico advances to a Saturday quarterfinal game against the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico in Miami.

Venezuela 4, Israel 1

Venezuela joined Japan as the only teams to finish unbeaten in World Baseball Classic pool play by defeating Israel in Pool D action at Miami.

Eugenio Suarez went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs, Eduardo Escobar added a solo homer and Ronald Acuna Jr. had two hits, a stolen base and an RBI as Venezuela improved to 4-0.

Starter Jesus Luzardo (1-0) allowed four hits in four scoreless innings and struck out five batters.

Jakob Goldfarb's seventh-inning RBI single broke up the shutout and Noah Mendlinger had three hits for Israel. Robert Stock (0-1) allowed three runs on four hits in three innings.

Cuba 4, Australia 3

Yoelkis Guibert delivered a two-run single in a pivotal three-run fifth inning to lead Cuba over Australia in a WBC quarterfinal game in Tokyo.

Cuba pitchers recorded 10 strikeouts and Miguel Romero (2-0) earned the win in relief for Cuba. Romero gave up just one hit and struck out two in 1 2/3 innings.

Mar 15, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Mexico designated hitter Rowdy Tellez rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning against Canada during the World Baseball Classic at Chase Field. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Rixon Wingrove went 2-for-3 and drove in all three of Australia's runs, including a two-run home run in the sixth that brought the Aussies to within 4-3.

Australia right-hander Josh Guyer (0-1) took the loss, giving up two runs on one hit and two walks in one inning.

Puerto Rico 5, Dominican Republic 2

Christian Vazquez homered as part of a four-run third inning as Puerto Rico downed the Dominican Republic to close Pool D action in Miami.

With the victory, Puerto Rico locked down the No. 2 spot in Pool D to advance to the quarterfinals and qualify for the 2026 WBC.

Francisco Lindor and Enrique Hernandez each had an RBI single during Puerto Rico's third-inning rally, and eight pitchers combined to hold the Dominican Republic to six hits. But the victory came at a cost, as reliever Edwin Diaz went down with an apparent leg injury during the team's postgame celebration on the diamond.

Juan Soto hit a home run for the Dominican Republic, which finished in third place in Pool D with a 2-2 record and will still qualify for the 2026 WBC. Johnny Cueto surrendered all three third-inning runs and exited the game after two-plus innings.

--Field Level Media

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