HOUSTON (Mar. 6) \u2014 A three-run seventh-inning homer by Jonathan Aranda<\/a><\/strong> broke a 1\u20131 tie, opening the door for seven late runs as Mexico<\/a> thumped Great Britain<\/a>, 8\u20132, in the opening game of Pool B in the World Baseball Classic<\/a>.<\/p>\n Mexico took a 1\u20130 lead in the top of the second against Great Britain starter Jack Anderson<\/a><\/strong>. It came on a one-out homer to left-center by Nacho Alvarez Jr. Great Britain tied it on a one-out solo shot to the Crawford Boxes in left by Harry Ford<\/a><\/strong> off Mexico reliever Alex Carrillo<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n The game remained tied into the eighth inning. Mexico put runners on first and second with a pair of two-out walks off Great Britain reliever Gary Gill Hill<\/a><\/strong>. Great Britain brought in Tristan Beck<\/a><\/strong> to escape the jam, but Jonathan Aranda had other ideas, giving Mexico a 4\u20131 lead with a three-run blast to the Crawford Boxes.<\/p>\n Mexico blew the game open in the ninth with four more runs. After a pair of leadoff walks, a ground-ball force at second, and a stolen base, Alek Thomas<\/a><\/strong> notched a two-run single to make the score 6\u20131. A Joey Ortiz<\/a><\/strong> double scored Thomas. Two batters later, Randy Arozarena<\/a><\/strong> drove Ortiz in with a single. This made it 8\u20131 heading into the bottom of the ninth.<\/p>\n Great Britain scored one consolation run in the ninth off Mexico closer Andres Munoz<\/a><\/strong>. This came on a one-out double to the left-field corner by Trayce Thompson<\/a><\/strong>. The two-bagger scored Ian Lewis<\/a><\/strong> Jr from first, completing the scoring.<\/p>\n Nacho Alvarez Jr.<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s second\u2011inning homer wasn\u2019t merely Mexico\u2019s first run \u2014 it was a release valve. After the game, Alvarez admitted he barely remembered the swing. \u201cI really blacked out when I hit it,\u201d he said. Later, he added, \u201cIt\u2019s an honor to represent this country.\u201d Mexico didn\u2019t have many early baserunners, but the few balls they squared up mattered.<\/p>\n Mexico\u2019s relievers stranded runners in scoring position in four separate innings. Manager Benji Gil<\/a><\/strong> singled out Alejandro Kirk<\/a><\/strong> as the quiet engine behind Mexico\u2019s pitching success. \u201cIt would be a mistake not to mention Alejandro Kirk,\u201d he said with a big smile. He added, \u201cThe way he handled the pitching staff\u201d was \u201coutstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n Gil emphasized that Mexico\u2019s defense was as responsible as the pitching:<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard to say we are the best defense in the tournament, but it\u2019s also real difficult for somebody to point out a better defense than what we have.\u201d<\/p>\n He specifically praised shortstop Joey Ortiz, left fielder Randy Arozarena\u2019s throw to the plate, and second baseman Nick Gonzalez<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s plays in the field \u2014 all of which preserved the tie until the offense erupted.<\/p>\n Mexico\u2019s early lack of batted-ball luck \u2014 combined with nice defense by Great Britain \u2014 kept the game tighter than their quality of contact suggested. Gil noted that Mexico hit three balls to the wall in right field that were caught \u2014 including a highlight play by Trayce Thompson of Great Britain. \u201cThompson made an incredible play,\u201d he said, referring to a leaping catch on the warning track on a deep drive by Aranda in the sixth. \u201cThat was a two\u2011run double if he doesn\u2019t make that play.\u201d<\/p>\nMexico \u2013 Great Britain Game Summary<\/h3>\n
What Went Right for Mexico<\/h3>\n
Made Their Hits Count Early On<\/h4>\n
Clutch Relief Pitching<\/h4>\n
Got Out of Several Jams<\/h4>\n
What Went Wrong for Mexico<\/h3>\n
Many Batted Balls Didn\u2019t Find Grass<\/h4>\n