Puerto Rico Beats Netherlands 4-3 In 11 Innings To Reach World Baseball Classic Final

Eddie Rosario smacked a liner to center field to score Carlos Correa from third base in the bottom of the 11th inning to lift Puerto Rico to a 4-3 victory over the Netherlands in Los Angeles on Monday for a berth in their second straight World Baseball Classic final.

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In the fifth inning, the score remained tied after the ball bounced off the outfield wall and left fielder Angel Pagan snatched it out of the air with his bare hand. Pagan pivoted and fired a strike to second baseman Javier Baez, who then turned and tossed the ball to catcher Yadier Molina, who managed to tag Jonathan Schoop right before his foot touched home plate. Molina called out MLB last week for failing to provide adequate security during Puerto Rico’s WBC first-round game against Mexico.

After Correa slid home, beating center fielder Jurickson Profar’s throw by far, the Puerto Rican players raced out of the dugout to surround Rosario.

Puerto Rico’s fans comprised the majority of the 24,865 spectators at Dodger Stadium. Puerto Rico will face the winner of Tuesday night’s semifinal between the United States and Japan in the Championship game on Wednesday.

In an effort to rest pitchers’ arms, the 11th and subsequent innings at WBC games begin with runners at first and second and none out. The Netherlands bunted both runners-up and, following an intentional walk, Curt Smith hit a low grounder to Baez, whose backhand flip to shortstop Francisco Lindor gave Lindor sufficient time to toss to first baseman T.J. Rivera for the double play.

Baez was not the only Puerto Rican player to deliver a great defensive play, however. In the opening inning, Molina caught Andrelton Simmons straying too far off second on a bunt attempt, and Profar off first base as he celebrated a base hit.

The Netherlands lost shortstop Didi Gregorius, who returned to the Yankees with a sore shoulder on Monday, although they also regained Curaçaoan-born Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, who missed the first two rounds in Korea and Japan. Jansen recorded eight strikes on nine pitches in the ninth inning. The Dutch used five relievers after Rick van Den Hurk lasted just two innings.

Puerto Rico also reached the WBC final in 2013, but lost to the Dominican Republic. Puerto Rico have outscored their opponents 55-18 in their seven games in the tournament.

Article by Pablo Mena