PHOENIX | In an atmosphere of great “fiesta”, the Canadian team lost 10 to 3 against Mexico, Wednesday afternoon at Chase Field, and could not qualify for the first time in its history for the quarters of World Baseball Classic final.
For the occasion, the Hispanic community of Arizona made its presence felt at the home of the Diamondbacks, with flags, trumpets and noisemakers.
• Read also: Here’s why Quebecer Édouard Julien will become a baseball “superstar”
After just missing a grand slam, in foul territory, Randy Arozarena set the spot on fire with a three-run double in the top of the sixth inning. Canada, who suffered on the mound, never recovered.
Photo Chris Coduto / Getty Images / AFP
Quebecer Édouard Julien wanted to spice up the match with a solo home run, at the end of the seventh, but it was too little, too late.
“It’s difficult to have lost, but in the end, I think we showed a lot of people that we are capable of playing baseball well, commented Julien, at the end of the match. We had good young players. I’m happy with our performance as a team and I hope we managed to give a little enthusiasm for baseball in Canada.
Where are the arms?
The Canadian team’s lack of pitching depth was felt in this game. Starter Rob Zastryzny, who is with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, allowed three runs in two innings of work.
Canada then trusted Quebecer Phillippe Aumont, who nevertheless retired from baseball three years ago. In the circumstances, we have to admit that Aumont did very well. He gave up no runs in one and two-thirds inning, allowing one hit and three walks, however, before giving way to Andrew Albers. It was the young Cade Smith who was on the mound for the famous hit of Arozarena, star of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Overall, we note that the withdrawal of Canadian pitcher Nick Pivetta, just before the tournament, will have hurt. However, Canada went 2-2 in Arizona, having won against Great Britain and Colombia.
Quite a first round!
Rowdy Tellez, former Toronto Blue Jays and now Abraham Toro’s teammate with the Milwaukee Brewers, won in the first inning for Mexico with a two-run single.
Counting on Julien and Toro in the first two ranks of the offensive formation, Canada was however able to reply. Julien hit a double, tentatively bringing his batting average to .600 for this tournament, then his fellow Quebecer followed with a single. The coach at third base wisely signaled to Julien to stop his run. The latter was finally able to score, a few moments later, on a single … from Quebecer Otto Lopez.
Mexico Advantage
On the mound, Mexico relied on starter José Urquidy, the last World Series champion with the Houston Astros. All in all, Urquidy allowed two runs in four innings.
It was enough while the Mexicans were counting on several good relievers…
- The absence of Freddie Freeman, injured in the lower body, has necessarily hurt Canada. The table was set for a big Mexican party. All that was missing was a Canadian player being the victim of a “sombrero”, a term used when a batter is struck out three times in the same game. It was not the case.
- In addition to Mexico, Cuba and Italy (in Group A), Japan and Australia (in Group B) as well as Venezuela (in Group D) were the other teams to ensure their qualification for the quarters before the scheduled matches late Monday evening.
- Even better than Édouard Julien and his incredible .538 batting average, Canadian Tyler O’Neill of the St. Louis Cardinals posted a .615 (8 for 13) performance during the tournament.
What we noticed…
Nothing against Phillippe Aumont
Quebec pitcher Phillippe Aumont has been extraordinary for a player who retired from baseball three years ago. Manager Ernie Whitt loves him for using him in a decisive game as the first reliever behind starter Rob Zastryzny. Nothing against Aumont, but it nevertheless proved Canada’s lack of depth on the mound for this World Classic. Still incredible that the 34-year-old Quebecer, owner of a farm in the Outaouais region, managed strikeouts against Austin Barnes and Alan Trejo.
Julien, Toro and Lopez in quick succession against a champion
Quebecers Édouard Julien, Abraham Toro and Otto Lopez each had a hit in the first inning against Mexican starter José Urquidy, champion of the last World Series with the Houston Astros. Due to the absence of Freddie Freeman, injured in the lower body, Toro found himself in second place in the offensive lineup for the Canadian team. Just behind Julien.
