Yankees Rout Team Panama in Pre-WBC Exhibition Contest
March 3, 2026; Tampa, FL — The New York Yankees squared off against the Panamanian national team today at George M. Steinbrenner Field in a high-energy pre-World Baseball Classic (WBC) exhibition game. As the WBC approaches, teams from all over the world are preparing by playing against MLB squads, and this matchup was a dominant showing by the Yankees, who came away with a resounding 11-1 victory in just eight innings.
The game provided a solid showcase for the Yankees’ offense, which found little resistance from Panama’s pitchers throughout the contest. With a strong starting performance from Max Fried and a late-game surge, the Yankees cruised to an easy win. Panama’s lineup struggled to capitalize on several scoring opportunities, making it clear that they will have a lot of work to do before facing more formidable opponents in the WBC.
A Quick Start for the Yankees
From the very first inning, the Yankees wasted no time asserting their dominance. With Trent Grisham drawing a walk and Jasson DomÃnguez following up with a single, the stage was set for Ryan McMahon. With two outs, McMahon ripped a line drive to center field, driving in both Grisham and DomÃnguez, giving the Yankees an early 2-0 lead. This quick surge set the tone for the rest of the game, as the Yankees’ offense continued to click.
Max Fried, taking the mound for the Yankees, was equally effective early on. Fried demonstrated his ability to induce ground balls, forcing double plays in both the first and second innings. The second double play, which came with two runners on base, was particularly crucial as Panama tried to mount a response after the Yankees’ initial scoring outburst.
In the third inning, Fried faced off against Panama’s José Caballero, who worked a lengthy at-bat, fouling off several 3-2 pitches before drawing a walk. However, Fried quickly regained control by striking out Allen Córdoba, ending the threat and ensuring Panama didn’t capitalize on the base runner.
Panama’s Pitching Woes
As the game progressed, the Panama pitching staff struggled to find any rhythm. Jorge Garcia, who started for Panama, lasted only two innings, giving up two runs. After Garcia’s early exit, Miguel Cienfuegos took the mound for Panama in relief. The journeyman reliever, born in Quebec and currently with the Padres organization, was able to stabilize the game briefly, facing the minimum and throwing two scoreless innings. However, the rest of Panama’s bullpen was unable to keep the Yankees’ lineup in check.
In the fourth inning, Erian Rodriguez replaced Cienfuegos and immediately faced trouble. He gave up two singles to Giancarlo Stanton and McMahon, with Stanton’s hit coming off the bat at a blistering 114.3 mph. Following a walk that loaded the bases, J.C. Escarra plated Stanton with a sacrifice fly, and then Max Schuemann added another run with a 4-6 fielder’s choice, extending the Yankees’ lead to 5-0.
Rodriguez’s struggles continued as he walked two more batters, loading the bases once again. This prompted manager Jose Mayorga to bring in Mason Vinyard, a Yankees’ organization pitcher, who had been made available to Panama for the game. Unfortunately, Vinyard also struggled with his control, walking Ben Rice to bring in another run, pushing the Yankees’ lead to 6-0.
Escarra’s Home Run Adds to the Yankees’ Lead
As if things weren’t bad enough for Panama, the Yankees found another gear in the fifth inning. With Alberto Baldonado on the mound for Panama, J.C. Escarra took matters into his own hands. Escarra pulled a pitch to right field for a line drive home run, the first of the spring for the Yankees, making it 7-0.
The Yankees were now firmly in control, and with the fifth inning marking the official point of no return for Panama, the game turned into a formality. Even with all the regulars substituted out, the Yankees’ depth kept piling on the runs. Jorbit Vivas made a key contribution with a sacrifice fly, and Ali Sánchez added an RBI single to left, pushing the score to 9-0.
Panama’s Lone Run
Finally, in the eighth inning, Panama managed to get on the scoreboard, thanks to the speed of Enrique Bradfield Jr., an Orioles prospect. Bradfield, known for his blazing speed, reached first on an infield single, then stole both second and third base in quick succession. Rubén Tejada, the former MLB shortstop, brought Bradfield home with a groundout to first, making it 9-1.
While Panama’s run was a small victory, it highlighted the team’s potential for aggressive baserunning, which could be a crucial weapon during the WBC. However, Panama’s defensive mistakes, including errors on fielder’s choices, kept the game out of reach.
Yankees Finish It Off in the Eighth
The Yankees weren’t done yet, though. In the eighth inning, they capitalized on another Panama mistake, loading the bases once more. Vivas came through again, hitting a two-run single to extend the lead to 11-1, which brought the game to its official conclusion.
Thanks to the World Baseball Classic rules, the game was called after the 10-run mercy rule came into effect. With that, Vivas’ walk-off single marked the official end of the game, leaving Panama with much to reflect on as they continue their preparations for the WBC.
What’s Next for the Yankees?
With the win in hand, the Yankees are now looking ahead to the next chapter of their Spring Training journey. Tomorrow, they will face the Boston Red Sox in their first rivalry game of the spring. Luis Gil will take the mound for the Yankees, opposing Garrett Crochet of the Red Sox. The game will be televised on ESPN, with first pitch set for 1:05 PM.
For the Yankees, the focus will now shift from pre-WBC exhibition games to the usual Grapefruit League action, as they continue to fine-tune their lineup and get their roster ready for the 2026 MLB season. With a strong performance in this exhibition and a few key players finding their groove, the Yankees are well-positioned to make a deep run in both the MLB season and the WBC.
Conclusion
The Yankees’ 11-1 win over Team Panama in this pre-WBC exhibition is a clear indication that they are firing on all cylinders. With Max Fried pitching three scoreless innings, and a potent offense that kept piling on runs, it was a dominant showing. While Panama had its moments, such as Bradfield’s impressive baserunning, the Yankees’ depth and execution proved too much for the Panamanian team to handle.
As the WBC draws closer, teams like Panama will need to regroup and adjust, especially on the pitching side, if they want to compete with the heavy hitters of the baseball world. For the Yankees, this exhibition win is just one small step toward their ultimate goal of success in the upcoming season and international competition.
Stay tuned for more updates on Spring Training and the World Baseball Classic as teams continue to prepare for the challenges ahead.
