SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Yovani Gallardo and seven other pitchers combined on a three-hit shutout to help Mexico beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 1-0 on Tuesday night.
Humberto Cota drove in Luis Garcia with a line single to right in the fifth off Brad Ziegler for the only run of the game.
Gallardo has been scratched from his start Sunday with the Milwaukee Brewers because of a slight groin strain and his further participation in the World Baseball Classic hinged largely upon his outing in the first of Mexico’s two exhibition games.
The right-hander struck out Adam Eaton swinging and Cliff Pennington looking, walked the next two batters and caught Eric Chavez looking to end his only inning of work.
Arizona starter Ian Kennedy gave up two hits with a walk in three innings, striking out three.
