Mexico defeats D-backs heading to World Classic

Mexico sets up a rally and with home runs from Téllez and Osuna defeats the Arizona Diamondbacks in a preparation game for the 2026 World Baseball Classic

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — With a rally of four races in the fourth episode, Mexico HE enfilado to one victory of 6-3 about the Arizona Diamondbackson Tuesday, in the first of two sets of preparation heading to World Baseball Classic 2026.

Like Mexico, the United States, Italy and Great Britain also defeated Major League teams in preparation games for the WBC 2026, and only Brazil suffered defeat in the matches of the five teams that make up Group B and will play in Houston in the first round.

The game at Salt River Fields, the Diamondbacks’ training ground, began with a scoreless duel in the first three innings, in which Taijuan Walker pitched 2.1 innings for Mexico and Zac Gallen two for Arizona.

The Mexican attack came on reliever Juan Morillo, with four consecutive hits. Jonathan Aranda, Alejandro Kirk and Rowdy Téllez had singles, the last RBI, and Nick Gonzales had a two-run double. Alek Thomas drove in the fourth with a one-out single.

The Diamondbacks closed the gap in the closing with an RBI triple by Jordan Lawlar and a grounder into the infield produced by Ryan Waldschmidt against the shots of Luis Gastélum, who was ultimately the winning pitcher.

In the fifth roll, Arizona closed the game 4-3 with an RBI hit by James McCann, who brought Tim Tawa to the plate, previously on base with a double.

The last two runs for Mexico, which opens the WBC 2026 on Friday against Great Britain, came with solo home runs, by Téllez in the eighth inning, and by Alejandro Osuna in the ninth inning.

Roel Ramírez hit zeros in the eighth and ninth innings to get the rescue. Morillo took the defeat.

Mexico, led by Benjamín Gil, will close its preparation on Wednesday by facing the World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, at Camelback Ranch. Tyler Glasnow will be the starter for the Angelenos.