Morneau has four hits in Canada's brawl-filled win over Mexico

March 10, 2013 at 7:50AM

Phoenix, Ariz. Justin Morneau and Michael Saunders each had four hits and three RBI as Canada defeated Mexico, 10-3, in the World Baseball Classic.

However, the real story of this contest happened in the top of the ninth inning, when Mexico pitcher Arnold Leon hit Canada's Rene Tosoni to start a brawl between the two teams.

Before the incident, Leon threw a pitch behind Tosoni and the umpires warned both teams. Tosoni -- a former Twins outfielder now in the Milwaukee organization -- was hit by the next pitch, and both benches immediately cleared.

As the two teams brawled, fights in the stands ensued as well. As a result, Leon, Tosoni and Mexico manager Rick Renteria were ejected from the game.

After the brawl occurred, Canada pitching coach Denis Boucher was hit in the face with a water bottle from the stands, prompting shortstop Cale Iorg to throw the bottle back into the stands.

Taylor Green went 3-for-5 and scored three times for Canada, who recorded 15 hits in the game.

Starting pitcher Chris Leroux (1-0) allowed one unearned run on two hits over three innings. Canada will face Team USA on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.

Eduardo Arredondo, Edgar Gonzalez and Gil Velazquez scored runs for Mexico, which went 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Mexico's starting pitcher Marco Estrada (0-1) was battered, giving up four runs off seven hits over three innings.

Canada's Tyson Gillies, right and Mexico's Alfredo Aceves fight during the ninth inning of a World Baseball Classic game, Saturday, March 9, 2013, in Phoenix.
Canada's Tyson Gillies, right and Mexico's Alfredo Aceves fight during the ninth inning of a World Baseball Classic game, Saturday, March 9, 2013, in Phoenix. (Associated Press - Ap/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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