Team Mexico moved on to the next round of the World Baseball Classic with a blowout win over Team Canada, winning 10-3. The game was close early until an explosion of offense from Team Mexico in the sixth inning resulted in four runs. Randy Arozarena was the hero of the game, recording five RBIs and leading his team to victory.
Team Canada is not technically eliminated from the World Baseball Classic, but it is unlikely they will make it to the next round now. Unless some incredible upsets are pulled off, it will be the end of their run in the tournament. Team Mexico have looked excellent in pool play and will look to continue their run in the next round.
The World Baseball Classic shared the result of the game on Twitter.
As soon as Team Canada knew they would be without Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman, they knew the odds were against them. Going into a critical game without their best player was simply too much to overcome. Going up against Tampa Bay Rays slugger Arozarena in a clutch situation was also a recipe for disaster.
Team Mexico wasn’t one of the most highly touted teams coming into the tournament but they are clearly proving to be a force to be reckoned with. Other teams will now be taking notice as the tournament moves on to its next phase. Winning a pool that features Team USA is more than enough of an emphatic statement.
Despite this critical loss that may result in their elimination, Team Canada has nothing to be ashamed of. Some predicted they would fail to win a single game on the international stage. But they played with pride and took the fight to every team they faced, even when they came up short.
Team Mexico will be taking on the winner of Team Puerto Rico’s game against Team Dominican Republic in the next round.
The World Baseball Classic still has a lot of games left to electrify the viewing audience
It may feel like many great games have already been played, but we still have a long way to go. Once pool play is over and single elimination begins, so does the fun. Where one surprise loss can send an underdog to the final, it can send a favorite back home.
It makes every single game must-see TV, and the baseball world will be tuning in.