Canada eliminated after pool play at World Baseball Classic for 5th straight time
New York Mets' star closer Edwin Diaz injured celebrating Puerto Rico's win
Randy Arozarena had two doubles and drove in five runs, Rowdy Tellez added a two-run single and solo homer, and Mexico beat Canada 10-3 Wednesday to earn a spot in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic.
Canada had a chance to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time with a win in Phoenix. Instead, the Canadians were eliminated after pool play for the fifth straight tournament.
"I think we have some really good young players that are coming. I think inexperience showed a little bit today," Canada manager Ernie Whitt said.
"But I'm proud of every guy in that room. They played the game the way it was supposed to be played. They played with pride and passion. What more can you ask for?
"I mean, we hit the ball hard today. Every time we hit the ball hard, it seemed like it was at somebody. We have days like that, it just didn't pan out for us this time."
WATCH | Canada defeated by Mexico in final pool play game:
The United States defeated Colombia 3-2 later Wednesday, leading to Canada's elimination. If Colombia managed an upset, the U.S., Canada and Colombia would have been tied at 2-2.
The winner of that tiebreak would have been the team with the fewest runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs in the games against the other tied teams. Following a 12-1 loss to the U.S. on Monday, however, Canada would have been a long shot to make it in.
Mexico started the tournament with a surprising loss to Colombia in Group C at Chase Field but rallied with three straight wins, beating the U.S., Britain and Canada.
Canada leadoff hitter Edouard Julien had two hits, including a solo homer in the seventh inning, and catcher Bo Naylor hit a solo homer.
"I think he's very capable of being an all-star in the big leagues," Whitt said of second baseman Julien, a prospect in the Minnesota Twins' system. "Like I said, he continues to improve his defence. You go back and you look at his track record at college, he's tied some records for the best hitter. I mean, it shows.
"And plus he's what I call a gamer. He plays hard every play. He doesn't take a play off. I think he's got a real good career ahead of him."
Rob Zastryzny took the loss after giving up three runs over two innings.
Canada played without Los Angeles Dodgers star first baseman Freddie Freeman, who left Tuesday's game because of a hamstring injury.
The Canadians finished pool play at 2-2 with wins over Britain and Colombia and losses to the U.S. and Mexico.
WATCH | Canada defeats Colombia for 2nd victory at World Baseball Classic:
Mets' Diaz injured celebrating Puerto Rico's win
All-star closer Edwin Diaz of the New York Mets was taken off the field in a wheelchair after injuring his right knee celebrating Puerto Rico's victory over the Dominican Republic on Wednesday night.
The right-hander was swarmed by teammates after pitching a perfect ninth inning in a 5-2 win that clinched Puerto Rico a spot in the WBC quarterfinals. The group was jumping together in the infield when Diaz collapsed to the ground, and he immediately reached for his right leg.
Diaz — as famous for his trumpet-driven entrance music as his dominant pitching — was in tears and did not put any weight on his right leg as a coach and trainer helped him limp toward the dugout.
Diaz's brother, Alexis, was also crying as Edwin was put in a chair and wheeled away. Mets teammate and Puerto Rico shortstop Francisco Lindor stood nearby with his hands on his head.
The Mets said in a statement about an hour after the game that Diaz had a right knee injury and would undergo imaging Thursday.
Puerto Rico manager Yadier Molina said Diaz also underwent testing at the stadium.
"I was hugging our coaches in the dugout. Then when we looked up, Edwin was on the ground," Molina said. "I didn't know. I didn't know how to act, I didn't know how to — what to say. I mean, I didn't know. It got me for a surprise.
Diaz is being counted on as a key contributor for the Mets, who have World Series aspirations after owner Steve Cohen's latest spending spree pushed the club's projected payroll to roughly $370 million US. Diaz re-signed with the Mets in November for $102 million over five years.
Puerto Rico centre fielder Kike Hernandez said the locker room was quiet after Diaz's injury.
"It's a certain point that its bigger than the game," Hernandez said. "It's very unfortunate that it happened. As excited as we were about the game and all that, that's one of our brothers."
With files from The Associated Press
