WBC Roundup: Bryce Harper, Garrett Stubbs shine in pre-tournament exhibitions
Phillies star first baseman Bryce Harper certainly looked the part as he donned a Team USA uniform in competitive action for the first time since he was a teenager on Tuesday afternoon. Batting second for the United States in an exhibition ahead of the World Baseball Classic, the left-handed hitter went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in a 15-1, 10-inning (Why not play another frame?) victory over the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium in Arizona.
Harper smashed a double into left-center field in the top of the first inning before coming around to score on an Aaron Judge two-run single, then drove in two runs with a base hit into right field in the fifth. The two-time National League MVP fit right into a stacked Team USA lineup that also included his regular-season teammate Kyle Schwarber, who went 0-for-2 with a walk.
The United States begins official WBC play on Friday night against Brazil at Houston’s Daikin Park.
Stubbs’ Big Hit
Garrett Stubbs hit an RBI triple in the top of the fourth inning to lift Team Israel to a 1-0 exhibition win against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Florida. He went 1-for-3 with a walk and caught all nine innings after serving as an infielder during the 2023 WBC.
Israel starts off the tournament on Saturday night versus Venezuela at Miami’s loanDepot Park.
Walker Keeps Them Scoreless
Right-hander Taijuan Walker threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings in an exhibition start for Mexico, helping the team beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 6-3, at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Arizona. The Phillies pitcher allowed two hits and two walks, but stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the first inning to avoid any damage.
Team Mexico will face Great Britain in pool play on Friday afternoon at Daikin Park.
Tough Day for Sosa, Panama
Edmundo Sosa, the fan-favorite utility infielder, went 0-for-3 as the third baseman for Team Panama in an 11-1 exhibition loss to the New York Yankees at Steinbrenner Field in Florida. The two sides played only eight innings.
Panama is set to take on Cuba in the WBC on Friday morning at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
On Deck
The Phillies will participate in an exhibition against Team Canada at 1:05 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday afternoon at BayCare Ballpark. The game will be televised on NBC Sports Philadelphia+.
Veteran Aaron Nola, who will be pitching in the WBC for Italy, is scheduled to start for Philadelphia. Canada lost its first exhibition game to the Blue Jays, 10-7, on Tuesday at TD Ballpark.