World Baseball Classic: Undefeated Puerto Rico Puzzles Dominican Republic
By Keaton Moore
In their narrow victory, the Puerto Ricans handed the Dominican Republic its first Classic loss since 2009.
With their 3-1 victory, the Puerto Ricans brought an end to the Dominican Republic’s 11-game World Baseball Classic winning streak. The strength of their pitching and the incredible performance from Yadier Molina places Puerto Rico 1-0 in Pool F while the Dominican start the second round 0-1.
When the Dominican Republic loaded the bases in the top of the first, it looked as if they their momentum would continue against Puerto Rico. However, after a strikeout and double play, Puerto Rico extinguished the Dominicans most serious threat of the game.
After back-to-back walks put runners on first and second, Yadier Molina’s broken-bat single brought home the first run of the game in the first. Although Nelson Cruz tied the game with a solo home run in the second, that proved to be the only run the Dominican Republic scored.
Eddie Rosario, the hero of the dramatic first-inning double play, gave Puerto Rico a 2-1 lead with a ground-rule double in the fourth. Two innings later, Molina sent the first pitch of the sixth inning over the left field wall to put his team ahead by the final score of 3-1.
As a whole, Puerto Rico’s pitching staff kept the Dominican’s normally loud offense to hardly a whisper. After scoring at least seven runs in each game of Pool C, Puerto Rico held the Dominican Republic to merely six hits while striking out ten.
Gregory Polanco’s double in the sixth turned out to be the Dominican’s final hit of the game as Edwin Diaz slammed the door with one walk and two strikeouts in 1.1 innings.
What’s Next?
Now the Dominican’s game against Venezuela on March 16 at 7:00 p.m. PST becomes becomes increasingly important. Having to work from behind in Pool F, a loss to the Venezuelans almost ensures the Dominican’s elimination from the tournament.
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Meanwhile, Puerto Rico benefits from a two-day rest before facing the United States on Friday, March 17 at 7:00 p.m. PST. To view the full schedule, check out www.worldbaseballclassic.com.