The Mexican National Baseball Team began its preparation for the 2026 World Baseball Classic on the right foot with a 6-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in a warm-up game played at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Arizona. The victory represents a first positive indicator for the Mexican ninth team, which seeks to repeat – or even surpass – the historic performance it had in the 2023 tournament, when it reached the semifinals for the first time.
For Hispanic fans living in the United States, these types of warm-up games are especially relevant, as many of the Mexican players participate in Major League Baseball(MLB) and the games are played in U.S. stadiums during spring training.
Mexico breaks the game with explosive offense
The game began with a solid duel between the starters.
Taijuan Walker, who opened for the Mexican Baseball Team, worked 2.1 innings without allowing a run, while the Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen also held the Mexican offense at bay for the first two innings.
The score opened up until the fourth inning, when Mexico unleashed a key offensive run.
Jonathan Aranda and Alejandro Kirk hit back-to-back singles to set the stage for Rowdy Tellez to drive in the first run with a run-producing hit.
Shortly thereafter, Nick Gonzales hit a double that drove in two more runs, extending Mexico’s lead.
The rally continued when Alek Thomas produced another run with a single to center field, punishing reliever Juan Morillo with a string of hits.
Arizona reacted in the bottom of the same episode.
Jordan Lawlar hit a triple and later Ryan Waldschmidt produced a run with a ground ball to the box in front of pitcher Luis Gastélum, who ended up getting the victory.
Many Mexican baseball players compete in MLB
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Téllez and Osuna seal Mexican victory
The Diamondbacks again moved closer to the Mexican Baseball Team.
In the fifth inning, a leadoff hit by James McCann off left-hander Alexander Armenta made the score 4-2 and kept the game competitive.
However, Mexico regained control in the last few episodes.
In the eighth inning, Rowdy Tellez hit a solo home run off reliever Dylan Ray, sending the ball into center field and increasing the lead.
In the ninth inning, Alejandro Osuna also hit a home run to right field to make the final score 6-3.
Closer Roel Ramírez was in charge of securing the result by pitching the last two innings, allowing three hits but without compromising the lead.
In this way, Mexico achieved its first victory in the preparation for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
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