The Philadelphia Phillies lost their final exhibition game before the World Baseball Classic on Wednesday afternoon, falling 5–3 to Team Canada at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida.
The matchup served as a warm-up for Canada ahead of tournament play, while the Phillies continued their spring training schedule. Philadelphia took an early lead with timely hitting and solid pitching, but Canada mounted a comeback late in the game. The Phillies built a 3–0 lead through the first four innings before their bullpen struggled to maintain it. Canada answered with five unanswered runs over the final three innings to secure the win. By the end of the game, Canada had turned a quiet afternoon at the plate into a late offensive surge that proved decisive.
Philadelphia scored first in the bottom of the second inning when Bryan De La Cruz drove in Bryson Stott with an RBI single to give the Phillies a 1–0 lead. They added to their advantage in the fourth when Alec Bohm hit a solo home run to left field.
Later in the same inning, Johan Rojas doubled off the center field wall to bring home another run, extending the Phillies’ lead to 3–0.
Phillies starter Aaron Nola was impressive, pitching three scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out four batters. Several relievers followed with effective innings early on, helping Philadelphia control the game through the middle frames. At that point, the Phillies looked to be in command of this exhibition matchup.
However, Team Canada flipped the script in the sixth inning. Abraham Toro delivered the biggest swing of the game, ripping a three-run double that tied the game at 3–3.
Moments later, Jacob Robson drove in another run with an RBI single, giving Canada its first lead of the afternoon. Canada added an insurance run in the eighth inning on a two-out RBI single to push the lead to 5–3. Philadelphia’s offense struggled late, failing to generate any baserunners after a two-out single in the eighth.
With the comeback complete, Canada walked away with the exhibition victory in its final preparation before the World Baseball Classic. For the Phillies, the game was a reminder that spring training results can change quickly once bullpens start rotating through younger arms and prospects.
Despite the loss, there were positives, especially Nola’s sharp outing and Bohm’s early power display. Meanwhile, Canada leaves Florida with momentum after rallying from a three-run deficit. The comeback win gives them confidence heading into the global tournament, where they will face some of the best baseball talent in the world.
For Philadelphia, focus now shifts back to Grapefruit League play as they continue preparing for the upcoming MLB season.
