Mexico advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2023 World Baseball Classic after winning Group C with a 10-3 win over Canada on Wednesday afternoon at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. Randy Arozarena, who reached the World Series with Tampa Bay in 2020, was again vital to Mexico’s victory, giving up a full-scoring brace in the sixth.

Arozarena, the 2021 AL Rookie of the Year with the Rays, scored a decisive double in the sixth inning to give Mexico a 6-2 lead.

In four group stage games, Arozarena, who became a Mexican national in 2022, went 7 for 14, with six extra hits and nine RBIs, the last of which set a World Baseball Classic club record.

Mexico started the tournament with a shock loss to Colombia in Pool C at Chase Field, but bounced back with three straight wins, beating the United States, Great Britain and Canada.

José Urquidy allowed two runs in four innings, striking out five for the win.

Thus, Mexico qualified first of the group and will face Puerto Rico, winner of this afternoon’s duel at LoanDepot Park in Miami against the Dominican Republic. The quarter-final duel will take place in Miami on Friday at 4 p.m. PT.

For their part, the United States secured second place by defeating Colombia tonight in Phoenix and will face Venezuela in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Miami at 4 p.m. PT.

Canada had the chance to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time with a win. However, the Canadians were eliminated after the group stage for the fifth straight time.

*With information from The Associated Press.