Tag: World Baseball Classic

Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic: World Baseball Classic Live Score, Analysis

Less than a day after beating the United States in an elimination game, Puerto Rico will be back on the diamond Saturday afternoon against the Dominican Republic at Marlins Park in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Left-hander Wandy Rodriguez will get the ball for the Dominican Republic, and Orlando Roman is the probable starter for Puerto Rico.

The Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico 4-2 in pool play back on March 10.

First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.

SCORE UPDATE:

Final: Dominican Republic 2 – Puerto Rico 0

W: Wandy Rodriguez

L: Orlando Roman

S: Fernando Rodney 

 

Semifinals (single-elimination round)

Semifinal 1: Puerto Rico vs. Japan, Sunday at 9 p.m. ET

Semifinal 2: Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic, Monday at 9 p.m. ET

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World Baseball Classic 2013 Results: Pool 2’s Biggest Stars, Goats

Just like that, the 2013 World Baseball Classic has come down to four teams.

We all expected that Japan would come out of Pool 1, and the two-time WBC champions are joined in San Francisco by a Netherlands squad that nobody thought had the pitching to make a deep run in the tournament.

That same line of thought applies to Pool 2 as well, where we all expected the Dominican Republic to advance, but weren’t quite sure if Puerto Rico had the arms to get past the sleeping giant that was the United States or an upstart Italian squad.

Well, the giant still sleeps, back into hibernation for another four years, while the upstarts beat themselves with shoddy defense.

There’s plenty of blame to go around—and plenty of accolades to be handed out as well.

Let’s take a look at who came up big—and who wilted under the spotlight.

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USA Baseball: Biggest Takeaways from America’s Run in 2013 WBC

The United States has made a habit of leaving a lot to be desired in the World Baseball Classic, with a fourth-place result in 2009 being the best showing.

That’s not the worst thing. After all, other countries’ success might benefit the event and help market it to the rest of the world. 

Here are the biggest takeaways from the United States’ run in the 2013 World Baseball Classic

 

One injury can deflate a lineup

The first thing people talked about with the United States’ roster was its depth and star power in the lineup. How could hitters like Ryan Braun, Giancarlo Stanton, Joe Mauer, David Wright and Brandon Phillips be stopped?

While Team USA struggled to score runs—averaging 4.7 per game—New York Mets third baseman David Wright delivered. He batted .438 with one home run, 10 RBI and seven hits in 16 at-bats. 

Then came word (via MLB.com) that Wright was scratched from the lineup against the Dominican Republic. The U.S. lineup was stymied, scoring just one run on six hits in a 3-1 loss. 

Team USA went just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position against the Dominicans without Wright. He was easily the best offensive weapon the United States had, so to lose him really hurt this lineup. 

 

Pitching lags behind at this time of year

The pitching staff for Team USA was a bit of a soft spot. Some of the best pitchers (Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw) decided to stay with their teams and get ready for the regular season. 

Even with R.A. Dickey, Gio Gonzalez, Craig Kimbrel and Ryan Vogelsong on the team, you didn’t know what to expect because those players had only a few weeks of work in spring training. This is the time of year when pitchers are still working on things (mechanics, pitches, etc.) to see what is working. 

When you throw them on a stage like this before they are at the top of their games, there will be struggles. Kimbrel gave up two runs to the Dominican Republic—the first time since 2011 that he gave up more than one run in an inning. 

Dickey came back with a good start against the Dominican Republic but didn’t have the sharp knuckleball against Mexico in his first start. Vogelsong started out sluggish against Italy before finding his rhythm long enough for David Wright to provide the heroics. 

 

All-Stars don’t equal championships

This one is easily identifiable to most fans because every year we see teams load up on talent in the offseason (Red Sox in 2011, Yankees in the mid-2000s, Angels in 2012) and declare them champions before a game is played. 

Team USA is great on paper. If the players had time to gel and really get their feet wet, they would probably end this event with the best record over the course of 162 games. But that is not how this event works. 

Anything can happen in a short series, as we know from the MLB playoffs every year. Having these names on the roster makes for great conversation, but nothing is guaranteed. Everyone else wants to prove the Unites States team isn’t unstoppable.

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World Baseball Classic 2013: Day 14 Results, Recap and Analysis

Day 14 at the 2013 World Baseball Classic featured one monumental showdown in Miami. The United States and Puerto Rico went head to head in an elimination game. 

The Americans defeated Puerto Rico, 7-1, in their first Pool 2 matchup on Tuesday, but the stakes were much higher heading into the weekend. With Japan and the Netherlands having already advanced to the championship round, Friday’s classic matchup in South Beach had tons riding on it.

Here we’ll get you caught up on the latest action.

 

Puerto Rico 4, United States 3

Nelson Figueroa put on a show at Marlins Park in Miami on Friday night, pitching six scoreless innings for Puerto Rico, to lift the Caribbean territory to a 4-3 win over the United States. The win sets them up a matchup with the Dominican Republic on Saturday and eliminates the Americans from the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

The loss was the United States’ second in two days, and for the third straight time the American team will come up short in its chase for the WBC title.

Ryan Vogelsong started on the mound for the United States on Friday, giving up a run in the first inning off a Mike Aviles single. The San Francisco Giants pitcher recovered nicely, however, recording four scoreless innings before surrendering one more run in the top of the sixth. He would leave after five and two-thirds innings pitched, allowing just four hits, two runs and striking out one.

After Vogelsong left, Andy Gonzalez increased Puerto Rico’s lead to 4-0 with a sixth-inning double. At that point, Puerto Rico had seized all momentum.

The United States weathered the storm, though. They finally got on the board in the seventh inning, scoring on a Giancarlo Stanton single to left field. Ryan Braun narrowed the gap with a double in the eighth inning, and Brandon Phillips scored on a walk to pull the Americans within one run.

In the end: Puerto Rico’s pitching would steal the show, shutting down the American bats and defeating the United States on its own soil—sending them home from the World Baseball Classic disappointed yet again.

 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter. 

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Puerto Rico vs USA: Score, Grades, Analysis for World Baseball Classic 2013 Game

With a spot in the World Baseball Classic semifinals on the line, Puerto Rico shut down the United States early and held on late for a shocking 4-3 win on Friday night.

38-year-old journeyman Nelson Figueroa completely baffled the Americans, holding them to just two hits and one walk through six scoreless innings, striking out two in the process. 

Puerto Rico took the early lead in the first inning when Mike Aviles singled home Angel Pagan off starter Ryan Vogelsong.

The veteran settled down and went back and forth with Figueroa for the next several innings, but after walking Carlos Beltran in the sixth, Vogelsong was replaced by Vinnie Pestano, who quickly loaded the bases, walked Carlos Rivera and gave up a double to Andy Gonzalez, which stretched the deficit to 4-0. 

Team USA would hardly fold over, though. It added a run in the seventh when Giancarlo Stanton roped a single into left to score Joe Mauer and then put together its most dangerous rally in the eighth. 

After Ryan Braun doubled home Jimmy Rollins, Mauer walked to load the bases with one out. Stanton popped up, however, and after an RBI walk by Zobrist, Eric Hosmer grounded out to end the threat with Puerto Rico still leading, 4-3.  

J.C. Romero finished things off for the four-out save, and Puerto Rico will now take on the Dominican Republic on Saturday afternoon, with the winner facing Netherlands and the loser drawing a matchup with Pool 1 champion Japan. 

Team USA is now eliminated and has never won the WBC.

 

Grades

Nelson Figueroa, Puerto Rico: A

Figueroa, who posted an ERA of 8.69 in 2011 during his last major-league stint, was truly marvelous against the stacked American lineup.

He didn’t overpower anyone, as evidenced by the two strikeouts, but the veteran painted the corners beautifully, kept the United States off balance and displayed gaudy command.

It was the game of his life. 

 

Andy Gonzalez, Puerto Rico: B+

Gonzalez had just one hit in four at-bats on the night, but what an important hit it was. 

The third baseman’s bases-loaded, two-out, two-run double gave Puerto Rico some necessary breathing room and turned out to be the game-winning hit. 

 

Vinnie Pestano, United States: F

Coming on with his team down by just one run and still very much in contention, Pestano simply has to do better.

He came on with one runner on and two outs, but proceeded to give up two walks and two hits without recording an out, thus busting the game open. 

 

Jimmy Rollins, United States: A-

Leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins did just about everything he could to help propel his country to victory. 

He was caught stealing by Yadier Molina in the sixth, but he made up for that with two singles, one run scored and several impressive defensive plays, including one marvelous sliding catch to keep things close in the top of the ninth. 

 

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Chase Headley Would Be Perfect Replacement for David Wright at 2013 WBC

David Wright could be out for the rest of the World Baseball Classic with sore ribs, and Team USA officials already have the perfect replacement and another great young third baseman on their radar in Chase Headley of the San Diego Padres.

Speaking to Bill Center of the San Diego Union Tribune, Headley did indeed say that he has been contacted about joining the team should they advance to the finals by defeating Puerto Rico tonight.

“Team USA reached out to see if I was interested,” said Headley. “I am. It’s always been a dream of mine to play for Team USA. Obviously, I hate to see someone get hurt.”

No matter how you look at it, Wright’s skills and leadership make him a huge loss for both Team USA and his New York Mets. Prior to his injury, he was batting .438 and leading the United States with one home run and 10 RBI.

Playing for the Mets in 2012, he hit .306 with 21 home runs and 93 RBI, plus 15 steals while also representing the National League at the All-Star Game. In every way, shape and form, losing him would be a terrible blow to Team USA’s WBC championship aspirations.

Unless, of course, Headley replaces him on the roster.

Not only is Headley two years younger than Wright, at 28 years old, but he also gives Team USA a fourth switch-hitter in addition to Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and Ben Zobrist.

He hasn’t yet shown as keen an ability to hit for average as well as Wright does, but just take a look at his numbers from spring training this season.

Through 10 Grapefruit League games, Headley is hitting .440 with three RBI and two extra-base hits. The power he showcased last season has yet to make an appearance, but that is another reason why Team USA should bring him aboard should they advance to the next round.

Hitting for power is one thing that Headley does just as well as Wright, if not better. Last season, he hit .286 with a career-best 31 home runs, 115 RBI and .376 OBP. 13 of those long balls came in pitcher-friendly Petco Park, so it’s clear just how powerful Headley‘s swing is.

That all being said, there is really no reason why Headley should not replace Wright on Team USA’s roster should the United States defeat Puerto Rico tonight.

Wright was the heart and soul of the team’s offense, and bringing in Headley to take over is a far better move than rolling the dice with utility infielder Willie Bloomquist or moving Ryan Braun to the hot corner—where he has not played since committing 26 errors there during his rookie season in 2007.

The fact of the matter is that Headley is one of the best young third basemen in MLB right now and if Team USA makes the next round, bringing him aboard would be the best move in order to ensure a potential WBC championship.

If anyone’s going to replace David Wright, there really isn’t anyone better than him.

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Puerto Rico vs. USA: Score, Grades and Analysis for World Baseball Classic 2013

USA defeated Puerto Rico in the second round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic on Tuesday, 7-1.

The Americans got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. After 2011 National League MVP Ryan Braun walked with two outs, catcher Joe Mauer doubled to center field to drive him home.

USA tacked on another in the third inning. After second baseman Brandon Phillips singled, Braun singled and Mauer walked, third baseman David Wright grounded into a fielder’s choice to score Phillips.

The Americans expanded the lead in the fifth. Jimmy Rollins led things off with a single to right field. He advanced to second after a bunt by Phillips. After Braun struck out and Mauer walked (again), Wright singled Rollins home with a line drive to right field. USA had the lead, 3-0.

San Francisco Giants left-handed reliever Jeremy Affeldt replaced USA left-hander Gio Gonzalez in the sixth inning. He pitched a scoreless sixth.

Cleveland Indians right-handed relief pitcher Vinnie Pestano faced four batters in the seventh—only giving up a single to Indians teammate Mike Aviles—en route to a scoreless inning. 

The Americans struck again in the bottom of the seventh. After young first baseman Eric Hosmer singled with two outs and stole second base, outfielder Adam Jones singled him home with a ground ball up the middle.

It was 4-0, USA.

The Puerto Ricans showed some life in the eighth inning. After pinch-hitter Jesus Feliciano was hit by a pitch to start the inning, left fielder Eddie Rosario doubled him to third. Center fielder Angel Pagan’s groundout scored Feliciano.

The Americans came back with a vengeance in the bottom of the eighth. With the bases loaded, Wright doubled to score three runs and put the game out of reach.

Gonzalez pitched five innings of scoreless ball, allowing three hits and striking out five. It was the Washington Nationals starter’s first action in the 2013 WBC. Puerto Rico right-hander Mario Santiago was touched for three runs in 4.1 innings, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out three. 

Atlanta Braves right-hander Craig Kimbrel finished off the game for the Americans, getting Aviles to ground into a double play.

USA joins the Dominican Republic at 1-0 in Pool 2.

 

Grades for Puerto Rico

Mario Santiago, SP: D+

Mario Santiago’s first outing of the WBC did not go well.

While the right-hander wasn’t exactly torched by the Americans, he was charged with runs in the first, third and fifth innings, ending up with a 6.23 ERA for the day.

USA had scored 17 runs in three WBC games coming into Tuesday’s contest (including nine against Canada in the first round), so it could have been worse. Still, it wasn’t that good, either.

 

Angel Pagan, CF: B

Angel Pagan not only drove home Puerto Rico’s only run, he also added a stolen base. The San Francisco Giants outfielder went 1-for-4 for the day, albeit in a losing effort. Headed into the contest, Pagan was hitting .455 in 11 at-bats (one RBI, one run, one stolen base).

 

Alex Rios, RF: F

As Puerto Rico’s No. 3 hitter, Chicago White Sox outfielder Alex Rios simply didn’t come to play on Tuesday. The right-hander went 0-for-4 while leaving three runners on base. He also committed an error in the sixth inning.

 

Grades for USA

Gio Gonzalez, SP: A

You can’t ask for much more than five scoreless innings. 

Gio Gonzalez stepped up big for the Americans on Tuesday, allowing just three hits (one double) while recording five strikeouts.

It was the left-hander’s first WBC action in his career and he didn’t disappoint. It’s not exactly surprising, given Gonzalez posted a 21-8 record with a 2.89 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 207 strikeouts in 199.1 innings with the Washington Nationals in 2012. 

 

Joe Mauer: B+

Joe Mauer not only went 1-for-2 with one RBI, one run and three walks on Tuesday, he also led the USA pitching staff to a strong showing against Puerto Rico.

The talented catcher may not have lit up the box score, but he was important on offense and defense for the Americans. The five-time All-Star and 2009 American League MVP was a steadying influence for USA.

 

David Wright: A

David Wright went 2-for-5 on Tuesday, driving in five of USA’s seven runs in the ballgame. He blew the game open in the eighth inning, doubling with the bases loaded to clear the bases.

Wright was hitting .455 with one home run, five RBI and four runs before Tuesday’s game.

 

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WBC 2013: Viewing Guide and Preview for United States vs. Puerto Rico

The United States and Puerto Rico face off to begin Pool 2 play tonight. The Americans were expected to reach this point, although they faced a lot more pressure than expected to secure a spot, while the Puerto Rican squad is a minor surprise.

It was able to advance as the second seed out of Pool C behind the expected winners from the Dominican Republic. Venezuela was expected to claim the other spot, but a win in their head-to-head meeting allowed Puerto Rico to move on.

There were some tense moments for the United States against Canada over the weekend in what amounted to a win-or-go-home matchup. It pulled away late, though, and now has a chance to reset and make a run at the championship.

Here’s a look at all the viewing information for the game, followed by a preview and a prediction for which country will move one step closer to the semifinals.

 

Where: Marlins Park in Miami, Fla.

When: Tuesday, March 12 at 8 p.m. ET

Watch: MLB Network

 

Preview

Gio Gonzalez, who didn’t pitch for the United States in the opening round, joins the rotation to start the first game of Round 2. The Washington Nationals lefty went 21-8 with a 2.89 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP during his terrific 2012 campaign.

Getting Gonzalez into the mix is a major boost for Team USA, which received some lackluster starts in group play. Ace R.A. Dickey gave up four runs in four innings in the team’s loss to Mexico. Ryan Vogelsong and Derek Holland were only marginally better.

Gonzalez should bring some stability to the rotation starting tonight. The limit on pitches increases to 80 for this stage after being at 65 to start, which will help the starters have a bigger impact on the outcome.

Puerto Rico will counter with Mario Santiago. He last pitched in the U.S. in 2011 with the Kansas City Royals organization. He went 3-3 with a 5.70 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in 19 appearances. He pitched for SK Wyverns in South Korea last year.

Based on that matchup, the advantage is clearly in Team USA’s favor. The only problem, and it’s been a concern throughout the event, is that the American hitters don’t know Santiago like they would another MLB pitcher. So it takes time to adjust, which causes some slow starts.

On the other hand, every American player should feel like a massive weight was lifted off their shoulders by surviving the first round. An early exit would have been a gigantic disappointment, and they were able to avoid that.

It’s almost like they’ve been given a second chance, and that should help them play loose. David Wright is already hitting well and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see guys like Adam Jones and Giancarlo Stanton get hot, too.

Puerto Rico can’t match that type of offensive firepower. Expect another close game in the early innings, but the second time through the lineup, the United States should be able to have a couple big frames to pick up the victory.

Prediction: United States 6, Puerto Rico 3

 

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World Baseball Classic 2013: Day 11 Results, Recap and Analysis

After barely surviving the opening round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic, the United States is back in action on Tuesday night against Puerto Rico to begin Pool 2 play. The game highlights a three-game schedule for Day 11.

Also in action was the Netherlands, facing Japan for seeding purposes one day after upsetting Cuba to earn a spot in the semifinals. The day’s other game features Italy and the Dominican Republic in each nation’s Pool 2 opener.

Here’s a recap of all the action on Day 11, which will be updated throughout the day as the results roll in from Miami, where the second-round games are taking place in Team USA’s group.

 

Japan Defeats the Netherlands, 10-6

Japan took another positive step in its quest to win a third consecutive World Baseball Classic championship by withstanding a late rally from the Netherlands. The victory secures the top seed out of Pool 1 for the Japanese squad.

The game got off to a perfect start for the Netherlands. Andrelton Simmons, who was one of the heroes in the victory over Cuba, led off with a long home run. The Atlanta Braves shortstop has been one of the tournament’s most impressive players so far.

Things got ugly in the second inning for the surprise semifinalists, though. Japan brought 12 batters the the plate, scored eight runs, chased Dutch starter David Bergman and took firm control of the contest. It was the type of hitting performance that helped Japan win the first two WBC titles.

Designated hitter Shinnosuke Abe sparked the offensive explosion. Japan’s most dangerous hitter hit two homers in the inning, a lead-off shot and a three-run blast to cap the scoring, to further justify the pre-tournament hype he received.

Japan seemed to put it on cruise control from there, getting scoreless innings of relief from Hirokazu Sawamura, Masahiro Tanaka and Takeru Imamura.

Then, in the seventh inning, the Netherlands started to mount a comeback. Three straight batters reached base to start the frame, the third being Boston Red Sox prospect Xander Bogaerts, who drove home Curt Smith. Randolph Oduber added a sacrifice fly.

The rally continued in the eighth with three more runs for the Netherlands, cutting Japan’s lead to 8-6. Smith brought home a run on a groundout while Kalian Sams and Quintin De Cuba provided RBI singles for the Dutch.

Japan finally stopped the bleeding in the bottom of the inning, however, scoring two runs to pad its lead courtesy of a Hisayoshi Chono single. The Netherlands was silenced in the ninth inning by Kazuhisa Makita, giving Japan the 10-6 win.

 

The Dominican Republic Uses Late Rally to Down Italy, 5-4

After Edinson Volquez walked the first three batters he faced on Tuesday and Italy jumped out to a 4-0 lead behind Chris Colabello‘s three-run home run, things didn’t look good for the Dominican Republic.

Lucky for them, the stars came out in the late innings to save the day.

Jose Reyes homered and scored two runs, Robinson Cano added a jimmy-jack and Nelson’s Cruz’s broken-bat single to right field capped a three-run rally in the seventh inning to give the Dominicans the lead for good on Tuesday in Miami Marlins Ballpark.

Volquez reminded us all just how scary he can be during the early innings. His three walks to start the game got Italy off on the right foot, and after a sacrifice fly, Colabello cleared the bases to give the Italians an early jump on one of the WBC‘s favorites to win it all.

But the Dominicans responded as the game went on, particularly by chipping away at the 4-0 lead and using their bullpen to complete shut down the Italian offense. After Volquez left after 4.1 innings, the bullpen allowed just one hit and three baserunners. Pedro Strop gets the win (his second of the WBC) while Fernando Rodney worked around a one-out walk to get a Drew Butera to ground into a double-play to end the game.

The Dominicans will now grab some momentum heading into the winner’s game of Pool 2, as they will now await the victor between Puerto Rico and the United States—scheduled to be held on Tuesday night.

 

USA defeats Puerto Rico, 

After Jimmy Rollins and Brandon Phillips began the game by grounding out to short, Ryan Braun got on with a two-out walk. Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer wasted no time in blasting a double to deep center, thus bringing in the first run of the game.

For five innings, that’s all Gio Gonzalez would need.

Gonzalez was superb for 5.0 innings, allowing three hits, no runs and striking out five batters in the process. The Washington Nationals ace allowed just two opponents to reach second base in that time.

Intra-division rival and New York Mets third baseman David Wright rewarded Gonzalez for his efforts.

Wright grounded into a fielders choice with the bases loaded in the third inning. In a game-defining moment, however, Wright beat out the throw to first and allowed Phillips to cross home plate and make it 2-0.

Two innings later, Wright struck again. This time, he hit a single to right field that scored Rollins and made it 3-0.

Gonzalez exited with a potential win in tact.

In the sixth inning, Irving Falu hit a one-out single. Jeremy Affeldt quickly responded by forcing Alex Rios to ground into an inning-ending double-play—a play that summed up Puerto Rico’s efforts.

This was a trend for nearly two full innings, as neither team managed to get on the scoreboard. Fortunately for the U.S., Adam Jones drove in Eric Hosmer and brought the lead to 4-0 to support this masterful pitching performance.

In the 8th inning, however, Angel Pagan cut the lead to 4-1 with an RBI groundout. Jesus Feliciano scored on the play and had many thinking that Puerto Rico would finally make their comeback.

Until Mr. Wright struck again.

With one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, Wright launched a Xavier Cedeno pitch over Pagan’s head. Rollins, Braun and Mauer would all score as Wright pulled up with a double.

His fifth RBI of the game gave Team USA a 7-1 lead—an advantage that they would not lose

For the top of the ninth, reigning MLB Rolaids Relief Man award winner Craig Kimbrel came on to close things out. After allowing Yadier Molina to crack a one-out single, Kimbrel put Puerto Rico away.

Phillips flips it to Rollins, Rollins throws it to Hosmer and it’s over—team USA wins.

The Americans will now play the Dominican Republic on Mar. 14. Puerto Rico will play Italy in an elimination game.

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Canada vs. Mexico Video: Watch Bench-Clearing Brawl Unfold in WBC Clash

All hell broke loose in the ninth inning of a World Baseball Classic game between Canada and Mexico on Saturday. 

Both benches cleared for the brawl, and play was delayed for around 10 minutes. There were fights taking place all over the field, and seven players were ejected, according to USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale:

Danny Knobler of CBS Sports reports that the ejected players include Mexico’s Arnold Leon, Oliver Perez, Eduardo Arredondo and Alfredo Aceves, and Canada’s Pete Orr, Rene Tosoni and Jay Johnson:

With Canada up 9-3, Chris Robinson led off the inning with a bunt single. Given that his team was already up by six runs, that could be considered “bush league,” but run differential does matter for tiebreakers in the World Baseball Classic. 

It also didn’t help matters that earlier in the game Robinson made a hard slide into second base that could have been viewed as having intent to injure a fellow player. 

After Robinson got on first base, Rene Tosoni stepped into the box, and Mexico pitcher Arnold Leon threw the first pitch of the at-bat close to his knees. Given the physical play in the game earlier, the umpire warned both benches. 

Leon was not worried about anything the umpire had to say, as his next pitch hit Tosoni square in the back. Tosoni started to walk out to the mound, and that was when things got interesting. 

MLB Network showed a replay where Mexico’s third baseman, Luis Cruz, actually motioned to Leon and told the pitcher to hit Tosoni after Johnson bunted for a single. This has been denied, according to Nightengale

Judging by the welts on Alfredo Aceves’ head, he certainly got the worst of his tangle with Blue Jays prospect Jay Johnson:

Fans also got in on the action, as there were some Mexican fans behind the Canadian dugout. One fan threw a bottle that hit a Canadian player right in the face. The public address announcer got on the microphone to warn fans that they would be fined, spend time in prison, etc. 

It was an incredibly embarrassing sight to see in an event that is supposed to celebrate the best that baseball has to offer to a worldwide audience. 

 

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