Australia and Mexico concluded the exhibition schedule of 2009 World Baseball Classic teams against MLB clubs on Friday. Next week the two advancing Asian teams from Pool A are scheduled to play another four matches (each two) versus MLB squads in Arizona, as they will wait for round two.
Mexico – Arizona Diamondbacks 2-4 Box score
Rodrigo Lopez started for Mexico and allowed just two hits in three innings, while striking out four. Pablo Ortega relieved him and struck out five in 2 2/3 solid innings. Jorge Cantu and Miguel Ojeda hit solo homeruns. The game against the Diamondbacks was held in Hermosillo, Mexico.
White Sox – Australia 10-3 Box score
The Australian WBC team used the warm-up against the White Sox to get some work in for nine of their relievers. Each one of them had to give up at least a hit or a walk. Chicago scored nine of their ten runs between the second and fifth frame.
Australia and Mexico will face each other on Sunday evening in game two of WBC Pool B at the Foro Sol Stadium in Mexico City.