MIAMI (AP) — Luis Urías hit an RBI hit in a three-run seventh inning Friday night as Mexico rallied to beat Puerto Rico 5-4 and reach the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic for the first time. time in its history.
Down 4-2 after six innings, Isaac Paredes tied the game with a two-run double and Urías turned the score around with a single to right in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Mexicans the win.
“Before the tournament, if you said that we could compete with the United States, Puerto Rico and Japan, the answer would have been no from some experts, but at this moment it can be said that Mexico can compete with anyone, at least this team of warriors” said manager Benjamín Gil.
The pilot, who has been a multi-champion in the winter league in Mexico, received the confidence to lead the Mexican team again despite the fact that in the past Olympic Games the Aztec team lost all three of its games.
“It is a blessing to be able to be part of the group and have a bit of glory in guiding them and having confidence with that group of Mexican warriors,” added the pilot.
Mexico, which had stayed in the first round in the last two tournaments, will face Japan in one of the semifinals of the championship.
“It’s a special event that happens every four years and we’re enjoying it to the fullest,” said Randy Arozarena, a Cuban national who secured the win with a catch to right field in the eighth.
“Mexico had never reached a semifinal and this group was able to do it, I am happy to share with them that they have seen me as one more,” he added.
The Puerto Ricans had reached the last two finals where they lost to the Dominican Republic and the United States, respectively.
“I am happy with the group of players I have, they are super stars who gave everything on the field,” said Puerto Rican pilot Yadier Molina. “It’s not the result we wanted, but I’m very proud of the guys and the way they represented Puerto Rico.”
Puerto Rico had taken the lead with a four-run attack in the first inning in which Javier Báez hit a two-run homer and Eddie Rosario followed with a homer with no men aboard.
Mexico pulled back in the second with a solo home run by Paredes and came up with an RBI single by Alex Verdugo and in the fifth to make it 4-2.
Paredes hit his double in the seventh and then Urías hit his timely drive to turn the score around and advance to the semifinals.
Reliever Jojo Romero (2-0) earned the victory with a two-thirds inning of work in which he only allowed a walk.
Closer Giovanny Gallegos scored the rescue by allowing two unstoppables in a tackle in which he also struck out a rival.
The loss went to Alexis Díaz (0-1), who allowed three runs, all earned, walked two and couldn’t get any out in the seventh inning.
Mexico starter Julio Urías of the Dodgers had another bad outing, allowing five hits and four runs in four innings to drop his ERA at 7.00, but well-timed drives from Paredes and Urías saved him from defeat.
“Japan is a great team with great stars, maybe they are the favourites, but our rivals will always be the favorites in the games that we have left, so we are not afraid of the favourites”, added Gil. “We respect Japan, but we are committed to doing our best to come out with the win on Monday and play on Tuesday.”
