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Rodríguez beats McLean in WBC rematch, Diamondbacks roll, 7-1

Rodríguez beats McLean in WBC rematch, Diamondbacks roll, 7-1 | iNFOnews.ca
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Jose Fernandez (11) celebrates a double during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

NEW YORK (AP) — Eduardo Rodríguez outdueled Nolan McLean in a rematch of the World Baseball Classic final on Thursday night, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 7-1 win over the New York Mets.

Rodríguez threw his final pitch down 1-0 before the Diamondbacks scored four runs in the seventh off McLean (0-1) and Luke Weaver. Gabriel Moreno greeted Weaver with a pinch-hit RBI double before Jose Fernandez beat Mark Vientos’ throw home on Alek Thomas’ grounder to first.

Tim Tawa hit a sacrifice fly and Jorge Barrosa followed with a run-scoring triple.

Moreno and Adrian Del Castillo added RBI doubles in the eighth.

Rodriguez (1-0) gave up five hits — including Luis Robert Jr.’s first-inning homer, the first earned run allowed this season by the left-hander — and struck out three in six innings.

McLean was charged with two runs on three hits and struck out eight in 6 1/3 innings.

Rodriguez tossed four scoreless innings and McLean surrendered two runs in 4 2/3 innings on March 17, when Venezuela won the WBC by edging Team USA, 3-2.

Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll didn’t play because of a sore left hip flexor suffered while running out a triple in Wednesday’s 7-2 win.

The temperature at McLean’s first pitch was 44 degrees. The first two games of the series were moved up three hours to 4:10 PM due to the cold.

Up next

The Diamondbacks continue their nine-game east coast swing Friday, when RHP Michael Soroka (2-0, 0.90 ERA) starts against Jesús Luzardo (1-1, 4.97 ERA) and the Philadelphia Phillies.

RHP Clay Holmes (2-0, 1.42 ERA) starts for the Mets, who welcome RHP J.T. Ginn (0-0, 5.14 ERA) and the Athletics for a three-game series.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Rodríguez beats McLean in WBC rematch, Diamondbacks roll, 7-1 | iNFOnews.ca
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jose Fernandez, left, slides safely into home plate during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
Rodríguez beats McLean in WBC rematch, Diamondbacks roll, 7-1 | iNFOnews.ca
New York Mets’ Brett Baty (7) crashes into Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) as he steals second base during the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
Rodríguez beats McLean in WBC rematch, Diamondbacks roll, 7-1 | iNFOnews.ca
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Alek Thomas (5) slides into home base and scores a run on Jorge Barrosa’s triple during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

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The Associated Press

Jerry Beach

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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