The WBC is tightening up as more teams are eliminated. Yesterday’s big game featured Italy demolishing Mexico 9-1, tossing all concerns about tiebreaker scenarios involving Team USA out the window. Italy has all the momentum of a runaway train right now. Meanwhile, Team Canada defeated Cuba to earn their first-ever berth in the quarterfinals in a win-or-go-home game; they’re now set for a matchup against Team USA in Houston on Friday night, which should be a fun one. In a showdown between two titanic
Latin powerhouses, the Dominican Republic held off a late rally by Team Venezuela: with Salvador Perez at the plate as the winning run, Elvis Alvarado got him to ground into a game-ending double play. With the win, the DR now owns the top spot in Pool D and gets to play the lowest-seeded team, Team Korea, while Team Venezuela will have to take on the dominant Samurai Japan.
How the Mariners fared in the WBC yesterday:
Canada 7, Cuba 2
Josh Naylor had a two-out RBI in the win. Former Mariner Abraham Toro had a big game for Canada with a three-hit day, and beloved former Mariner James Paxton, who came out of retirement to play for Team Canada, hurled 2.2 scoreless innings of relief, striking out six and allowing just one hit.
Dominican Republic 7, Venezuela 5
Eduard Bazardo gave up a home run to Fernando Tatís Jr. in the loss. Julio Rodríguez went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the DR’s win.
Italy 9, Mexico 1
Andrés Muñoz pitched one inning and didn’t give up a hit, but did walk two batters. Randy Arozarena went 0-for-4 with a walk and three strikeouts. Dominic Canzone did not play for Team Italy, nor did Miles Mastrobuoni, who is returning to the Mariners after suffering a calf injury.
Today’s contests/Upcoming
There is no WBC action today now that quarterfinals are set. Games will pick back up again tomorrow. The schedule for those games:
Dominican Republic vs. Korea: 3:30 PT, FS2/Fox Deportes
Canada vs. United States: 5:00 PT, FOX, Fox Deportes
