Josh Naylor, Ex-Mariners Propel Canada Into First WBC Quarterfinal

Canada punched its ticket to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals with a convincing 7-2 victory over Cuba in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This marks the first time the country has advanced past the first round.

The win capped a dramatic Group A slate. Canada finished atop the group alongside Puerto Rico, setting up a Houston showdown in the knockout stage.

Canada advances to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals in Houston

In a winner-take-all clash, Canada moved past Cuba thanks to a balanced offensive attack and some gutsy relief work. Otto Lopez delivered a clutch two-run single, while Abraham Toro crushed a 420-foot solo homer to break the game open early.

James Paxton, who came out of retirement to pitch for Canada, worked in relief and struck out six over 2 2/3 scoreless innings. He really provided a spark just when the team needed it.

The Canadian lineup piled on in the middle innings. Josh Naylor and his brother Bo Naylor each drove in runs, and Owen Caissie added a pair of RBIs.

Canada finished off three runs in a chaotic sixth inning. That frame featured a dropped popup, a foul pop that fell, a wild pickoff throw, and a catcher’s interference call on Andrys Perez.

Cuba struggled to sustain offense, collecting just one hit with runners in scoring position. They went 1-for-7 in those situations.

A late push by Yoelkis Guibert produced a run-scoring groundout, and Ariel Martinez drove in a sixth-inning run. Still, the burst was nowhere near enough to overcome Canada’s early lead or the defensive lapses from the Cuban side.

Turning points that shaped the outcome

The game swayed on several pivotal moments, including Cuba’s misplays that opened doors for Canada. The Canadian offense struck early, then kept piling up runs as the sixth inning chaos unfolded.

A dropped popup, a misplayed fly ball that led to extra bases, and a controversial catcher’s interference call all contributed to a three-run frame. That inning really put the game out of reach for Cuba.

Cal Quantrill earned the win by holding the Cubans to an unearned run and two hits over five innings. Paxton’s relief stint provided a critical bridge to the late-inning bullpen.

Cuba’s defense made three costly errors. Left fielder Ariel Martinez misplayed a fly in the seventh that allowed an extra-base hit for Canada.

Standout performers and how they shaped the result

Canada enjoyed a balanced attack and timely pitching. Here are the players who left the loudest impressions:

• Otto Lopez — delivered a two-run single that opened the scoring and set the tone for the Canadian offense.
• Abraham Toro — a towering 420-foot solo homer that sparked Canada’s offense in the middle innings.
• James Paxton — showed no rust in his return to international competition, striking out six over 2 2/3 innings of relief.
• Cal Quantrill — earned the win, scattering two hits over five innings with an unearned run scoring on Cuba’s side.
• Owen Caissie — contributed two RBIs, helping Canada sustain offense after the sixth-inning surge.
• Josh Naylor and Bo Naylor — each drove in runs to extend Canada’s lead and provide cushion in the late innings.

What this win means for Canada’s WBC campaign

By finishing 3-1 in Group A, Canada grabbed the top seed and earned a crucial edge heading into the knockout rounds.

The victory really showed off the team’s depth, with both veterans and rising stars stepping up.

With Puerto Rico also sitting at 3-1, tiebreaker scenarios will decide who moves forward. Still, Canada’s win over a Cuba squad packed with major-league talent makes them look like a real threat in Houston.

Next up, Canada faces a tough test in the quarterfinals as everything shifts to Houston, Texas.

The pitching staff looks well-rounded, and the offense proved it can find ways to score.

If the bullpen keeps this momentum and the lineup stays aggressive, who knows? Canada might just turn Group A dominance into a deeper run on baseball’s biggest international stage.

 
Here is the source article for this story: WBC: Naylors, ex-M’s help Canada advance for 1st time