WBC Roundup: Mexico Blasts Canada to Claim Pool C

A Mexico fan in the crowd catches a ball with an oversized glove in the fourth inning against Great Britain during the World Baseball Classic at Chase Field in Phoenix on March 14, 2023. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports via Field Level Media

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.

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.