Araúz, manager get heated during Panama's WBC elimination game
Reynaldo Rodriguez hit a two-run single in a four-run sixth inning for already-eliminated Colombia (1-3), who beat Panama 4-3 to win the Group A match at San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Colombia's victory ensured Panama (1-3) cannot advance from Group A.
Panama's Jonathan Araúz exchanged shouts and pushes with manager José Mayorga when the pinch hitter returned to the dugout after grounding out leading off the ninth. Araúz had not run hard out of the batter's box.
Panama pinch-hitter Jonathan Arauz had to be held back during an altercation with manager José Mayorga while they were down one in the ninth inning and facing elimination
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) March 9, 2026
A former Red Sox, Orioles and Mets infielder, Arauz got just one start and five at bats in this WBC pic.twitter.com/jhgdbSj91X
Jordan Diaz hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly against Miguel Gomez in the sixth and Daniel Vellojin added an RBI single.
José Caballero homered off Rio Gomez in the bottom half, and Jose Ramos and Christian Bethancourt had RBI singles that cut the deficit to one run in the eighth.
Ruben Tejada singled with one out in the ninth off Pedro Garcia, who then struck out Enrique Bradfield Jr. and retired Caballero on a flyout for his first save.
Winner Austin Bergner pitched a scoreless fifth inning. Jorge Garcia was the loser.