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Instant Reaction: Canada knocks off Puerto Rico in penultimate group stage game
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Photo credit: © Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Mar 11, 2026, 07:00 EDTUpdated: Mar 11, 2026, 06:38 EDT
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Canada picked up a much-needed win on Tuesday evening.
Playing their third of four games in Pool A action against Puerto Rico, the team from the Great White North defeated the hosts 3-2 to move their World Baseball Classic record to 2-1. Puerto Rico already punched a ticket to the knockout stage, but with this win, Canada has a chance to clinch first in their group. Let’s take a look at what went on in this one.
Puerto Rico took the lead in the bottom of the first. With runners on first and second and no outs, Arizona Diamondbacks’ third baseman Nolan Arenado hit an RBI single to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Canada responded in the top of the third. With two outs,Denzel Clarke and Edouard Julien hit a single, and the bases were loaded as Josh Naylor was hit by a pitch. José De Léon’s command was struggling at this point, and he walked home the game-tying run, as well as the run that gave Canada the lead.
Top Canadian prospect Owen Caissie led off the top of the fourth inning, and was driven in by Abraham Toro’s single to give Canada a 3-1 lead. Puerto Rico then got a twin-killing, before striking out Clarke to end the inning and begin a rain delay.
That insurance run was crucial, as Puerto Rico scored another run once the game restarted. Arenado and Eddie Rosario each hit a single, and were moved to third via a sacrifice bunt. Martín Maldonado grounded out to drive in their second run, but the Jays got out of the inning thanks to a flyout.
From there, blood pressure was high, especially when Byran Torres hit a double in the bottom of the fifth and Nolan Arenado hit a lead-off single in the bottom of the fifth, but Canada’s bullpen did enough to lock it down and give them the win.

Takeaways…

As big as this win was, all that it mattered for was Canada’s potential positioning for the knockout stage. Wednesday’s game will determine their fate, whether they go home early or they advance to the knockout stage for the first time in their WBC history. Cuba is a must-win game, and if they win, they lock up first in Pool A.
Toronto Blue Jays’ pitching prospect Adam Macko didn’t pitch in this game, as he threw a third of an inning on Sunday. In fact, Canada used just three pitchers, as starter Jordan Balazovic went three innings with three walks and four strikeouts. 
Logan Allen also pitched three innings, giving up an earned run and striking out three, while Brock Dykxhoorn finished with the save, striking out a batter in his three innings of work. That gives Canada a well-rested pitching staff ahead of Wednesday’s game against Cuba.
As for former Blue Jays, Otto López went 0-4 with a strikeout. On Puerto Rico’s side, José De Léon started the game, going two and two-thirds innings with two earned runs, two hits, and two strikeouts. He was tagged with the loss. Another former Buffalo Bison, Luis Quiñones, struck out two in his two innings of work.
Owen Caissie was Canada’s standout performer, going 2-3 with two doubles and a walk, scoring the game-winning run. Edouard Julien, Abraham Toro, and Denzel Clarke each had a single.
All of this will be for naught if Canada cannot defeat Cuba on Wednesday. A win means that they clinch first place, with their potential quarterfinal opponent yet to be determined. Wednesday’s game is at 3:00 PM ET.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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