SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — History was made Wednesday afternoon at Hiram Bithorn Stadium as Team Canada defeated Cuba 7–2 in a decisive Pool A matchup of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, securing the nation’s first-ever trip to the tournament’s quarterfinal round.
Entering the game with their tournament lives on the line, Canada delivered a balanced performance highlighted by timely hitting, strong pitching, and capitalizing on Cuban defensive miscues.
The victory pushed Canada to a 3–1 record in Pool A, giving them the top seed in the group following their head-to-head win over Puerto Rico earlier in the week. Cuba finished 2–2, marking the first time in World Baseball Classic history that the island nation failed to advance past pool play.
Before the game, Canada manager Ernie Whitt emphasized the importance of fundamentals in a win-or-go-home scenario, stating “when we have opportunities to drive runners in, we need to do that. When we need to turn a double play, we need to do that. It’s just, again, how important it is for us to take care of all the little things because if we don’t, it usually creates a big problem.”
Canada did exactly that the Canadians struck first in the third inning when Owen Caissie delivered a sacrifice fly to give his team a 1–0 lead. The run came after a chaotic start to the game that featured pitch clock violations and defensive miscues from Cuba.
Caissie, who has been one of Canada’s most consistent offensive threats during the tournament, entered the game taking a simple approach at the plate.
“I’d be lying if I said I made adjustments,” Caissie said earlier in the day. “I’m just trying to be myself and put the ball in play because when I do that, I give my team a good chance.”
Canada extended the lead shortly after when Abraham Toro launched a solo home run, continuing his strong tournament performance. Toro finished the afternoon 3-for-5 with two runs scored and one RBI, raising his tournament batting average to .467.
After a series of defensive miscues opened the door, Bo Naylor ripped an RBI double to extend Canada’s lead to 3–1. Moments later, Otto López delivered a two-run single, pushing the advantage to 5–1 and putting Cuba on the brink of elimination, López finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Cuba threatened to rally in the bottom half of the inning after loading the bases, but Canadian reliever Adam Macko struck out Yiddi Cappe to escape the jam and preserve the four-run lead.
Veteran left-hander James Paxton then took control of the game out of the bullpen. The former Major League starter delivered two and 2/3 scoreless innings with six strikeouts, including a crucial punchout of Yoán Moncada with Cuba threatening in the seventh inning.
James Paxton was tough as nails for Canada Tuesday afternoon, recording six strikeouts across 2.2 shutout innings vs. Cuba – Image Credit: World Baseball Classic/Major League Baseball
Josh Naylor drove in a run with an RBI single, and another defensive misplay by Cuba allowed an additional run to score. Caissie added another RBI in the ninth inning as Canada stretched the lead to 7–2.
Starting pitcher Cal Quantrill earned the win after allowing just one run on two hits over five innings, striking out five batters.
Despite entering the tournament after a difficult season and shaky spring training, Quantrill delivered when Canada needed him most.
“We’re not here for a participation ribbon,” Quantrill said after the game.
For Cuba, Ariel Martínez was one of the few bright spots offensively, going 3-for-4 with an RBI, but defensive mistakes throughout the game proved costly.
Despite the loss against Canada on Tuesday at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, Cuba’s 29-year-old outfielder Ariel Martínez went 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI – Image Credit: World Baseball Classic/Major League Baseball
By the final out, Canada had secured a milestone victory. The Canadians will now travel to Houston’s Daikin Park for the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals later this week, where they will face the runner-up from Pool B.
For Cuba, the loss marked a historic and unfamiliar ending — their first elimination during the tournament’s opening round since the World Baseball Classic began in 2006.
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