Professional baseball NC Dinos' Matt Davidson (35) played for the Canada national team at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC).
Canada defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 on the 5th (Korean time) in an exhibition game at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida.
Preparing for the WBC, Canada constructed a starting lineup of Eduardo Julien (designated hitter), Abraham Toro (third baseman), Josh Naylor (first baseman), Tyler O'Neill (right fielder), Tyler Black (second baseman), Otto Lopez (shortstop), Gerard Young (left fielder), Liam Hicks (catcher) and Denzel Clarke (center fielder). Black recorded multiple hits, and Toro delivered a key two-run double driving in three runs.
Starting pitcher Karl Kentridge allowed two hits and one run over two innings. The bullpen preserved the lead with Jordan Balazovic (1 inning, no runs allowed) — James Paxton (1 inning, 2 runs, 1 earned) — Rob Zastryzny (1 inning, no runs allowed) — Philip Among (1 inning, no runs allowed) — Mika Ashmen (1 inning, no runs allowed) — Matt Wilkinson (2 innings, no runs allowed) minimizing further scoring.
The Canadian WBC team included several players who formerly played in the KBO League. In the game, Davidson, who currently plays for NC, appeared as a pinch hitter and went 1 for 2 with one run scored. Young, who briefly played for Doosan in 2024, also recorded a hit. On the mound, Balazovic, who played for Doosan in 2024 alongside Young, delivered scoreless pitching.
Philadelphia took the lead in the bottom of the second when Bryson Stott reached second on a hit and a wild pitch and Brian DeLaCruz delivered an RBI single. In the fourth, Alec Bohm hit a solo home run, Stott walked, DeLaCruz reached on a second baseman's error, and Johan Rojas hit a two-run double to extend the lead to 3-0.
Canada began its rally in the top of the sixth. Lead-off hitter Hicks singled and Clarke walked, and Julien also singled to load the bases with no outs. Toro hit a three-run double to tie the game 3-3. Davidson hit a grounder to advance the runner, and Jacob Robson delivered an RBI single to put Canada ahead.
After taking the lead, Canada saw Davidson hit a double with one out in the eighth. Robson struck out, but Black delivered an RBI single and Davidson scored. Canada held the lead and finished the game with a 5-3 victory.
Aiming for its first advancement to the quarterfinal knockout stage, Canada was placed in group A of the group stage and will open play against Colombia on the 8th, followed by Panama on the 9th, Puerto Rico on the 11th and Cuba on the 12th.
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