All the managers expressed concern about the rules that govern WBC... Run differential could be a big factor in deciding who advances and who doesn't. In 'regular' baseball the unwritten rule is when up by a lot late in the game, you don't hold runners on, you don't bunt (to move a runner or for a hit), you run the bases less aggresively..etc You don't deliberately 'run up' the score. BUT when run differential could be a factor...you have to! Mexico's 3b Luis Cruz told Leon to hit the next batter. When he missed with his first 2 attempts, even with the umpire warning...you know Cruz repeated himself, this time with more force behind his voice.
In the MLB..sure if a guy is stupid enough to break this rule..go for it. In this case Cruz was completely and totally wrong. I do understand feeling, I myself have gone high & tight on a guy who broke this rule. But I've also played in tournaments where Runs For and Against matter, and in these cases players will break this code of conduct..while not liking it, I accept it because of the rules that are in play.
And yes, Mexico's manager should have been tossed as well. The umpires missed that one but that is understandable considering the melee and confusion of the whole incident.
Hope today's game between Canada & the U.S. is a good one.