WBC Roundup: Phillies lose to Canada; Kyle Schwarber helps Team USA win final exhibition
Phillies manager and Ontario native Rob Thomson fell to his home country’s national team on Wednesday afternoon in Team Canada’s final stop before the World Baseball Classic. The Canadian club beat the Phillies, 5-3, in an exhibition game at BayCare Ballpark.
Veteran starter Aaron Nola, who will pitch for Italy in the 2026 WBC, threw three scoreless innings with four strikeouts and Alec Bohm hit a home run for the Phillies, but Canada later overcame a three-run deficit. Abraham Toro hit a three-run double in the top of the sixth inning off reliever Jonathan Bowlan, then Jacob Robson drove Toro in with a single. Canada added an additional run in the eighth on a Tyler Black RBI base hit.
While the WBC officially started play on Wednesday night as Australia defeated Chinese Taipei, 3-0, at the Tokyo Dome, Team Canada’s first matchup of the tournament will take place on Saturday morning against Colombia at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Team USA Cruises
The United States and its loaded lineup hit five home runs to cruise to a 14-4 exhibition victory in eight innings over the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Arizona. Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber went 1-for-3 with a ground-rule double and scored the go-ahead run.
Additionally, reliever Brad Keller threw a scoreless inning to earn a hold. Bryce Harper went 0-for-3 at the plate.
Team USA will begin pool play versus Brazil on Friday night at Houston’s Daikin Park.
Lazar Throws Shutout Frame
Reliever Max Lazar threw a scoreless bottom of the third inning as Israel fell, 5-2, to the New York Mets in an exhibition game at Clover Park in Florida. The right-hander recorded two strikeouts in his 1-2-3 frame. Catcher Garrett Stubbs went 0-for-3.
Team Israel will play Venezuela in the WBC on Saturday night at Miami’s loanDepot Park.
Sosa Picks Up Hit in Panama’s Loss
Infielder Edmundo Sosa went 1-for-4 with a single off Kenley Jansen and a run scored in a 2-1 exhibition loss for Panama against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Florida. Sosa batted third and played third base.
Panama will face Cuba on Friday morning at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.