Mexico downs Puerto Rico to succeed in semifinals of World Baseball Classic

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MIAMI — Trailing late in opposition to a star-studded Puerto Rico workforce, Mexico battled all the way in which again, stringing collectively a three-run seventh inning to steal a 5-4 victory in entrance of a sold-out crowd at LoanDepot Park in Friday night time’s quarterfinal.

Mexico superior into the semifinals for the primary time in 5 World Baseball Classic appearances. It can face Japan in Monday’s semifinal.

Puerto Rico, enjoying within the wake of Edwin Diaz’s sobering knee damage, jumped out to a 4-0 lead within the first inning in opposition to Mexican ace Julio Urias, getting back-to-back residence runs by Javier Baez and Eddie Rosario. However Puerto Rico did not muster a lot offense the remainder of the way in which, and Mexico lastly bridged the hole whereas all the way down to its final seven outs.

Alexis Diaz entered to his brother’s well-known walk-out tune “Narco,” however proceeded to load the bases with none out, giving up a double to Austin Barnes and back-to-back walks to Randy Arozarena and Alex Verdugo. Jorge Lopez got here out of the bullpen to file two fast outs. However Isaac Paredes lined a two-run single to left subject and Luis Urias dumped a base hit into shallow proper, giving Mexico its first lead of the sport.

Puerto Rico had an opportunity to tie it within the eighth, with a runner on first and Emmanuel Rivera uncorking a deep drive to left-center subject. Arozarena — the Pool C MVP who appeared to have his fingerprints throughout each recreation Mexico received on this match — raced into the hole and made an inconceivable leaping catch up in opposition to the fence, gorgeous a Miami crowd that appeared to be principally in favor of Puerto Rico.

Because the ball was being thrown again into the infield, Arozarena settled onto the warning monitor and stretched his arms out huge, his palms uncovered and his mouth agape, one other signature pose from the Cuban-born outfielder who fell in love with Mexico after defecting there in 2016.