Puerto Rico tops Dominican in World Baseball Classic Game at Petco

Puerto Rico wins an interesting first game in Pool F vs star-studded Dominican Republic.

In the first game at Petco Park in Pool F for the 2017 World Baseball Classic, Team Puerto Rico edged out the Dominican Republic 3-1 on Tuesday night.

At the beginning of the game there were two plays which both occurred near the right-center field wall which changed the game. In the fourth inning, Nelson Cruz hit a home run, serving as the lone Dominican run.

Later in the fourth inning, another ball was hit which ended up being called a ground rule double. Ironically, the same man who caught Cruz’s home run reached out and made the grab on this hit. If both of these plays would’ve been overturned, the Dominican would have probably lost 3-0.

Puerto Rico was led by Yadier Molina who threw a runner out at second base in the eighth inning that ended a rally by the Dominican. He also hit a solo home run that extended Puerto Rico’s lead to 3-1.

Team Puerto Rico led by players such as Francisco Lindor, Javier Baez, and Carlos Correa was a very energetic team today with firing up the crowd, which was mostly for Puerto Rico, after an inning ended after a good play.

More from Friars on Base

• Jurickson Profar free agency update likely rules out Padres reunion
• Fernando Tatis Jr. may not take to outfield move after Xander Bogaerts addition
• Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors, Seth Lugo chase, Manny Machado
• Padres barely missed out on high-end veteran starting pitcher
• This veteran DH target seems ideal for contending Padres roster

One of the most exciting plays of the game for Puerto Rico came in the eighth inning when Molina threw out Cruz trying to steal second. The second baseman Baez was on the receiving end of the play when as the ball was still in the air coming to him and as he caught it he was already celebrating with one hand up, while not even looking at his tag, and then casually running off the field.

Team Puerto Rico plays with a lot of intensity, and always has energy. If they can knock off Dominican like they did on Tuesday night, they have a legitimate chance at making it through San Diego.

Next: Competing in a Tough Division

From March 14-19, all week at Petco Park is the World Baseball Classic in San Diego including Wednesday’s game where Team USA takes on Team Venezuela.