Team Puerto Rico secured a 4-1 victory over Team Cuba in the World Baseball Classic on March 10, clinching a spot in the tournament’s quarterfinals. The game took place in San Juan and marked a significant moment for Puerto Rican baseball fans, who have waited two decades for a rematch after a close loss to Cuba in 2006.
The win improves Puerto Rico’s record to 3-0 in Pool A, while Cuba falls to 2-1 but remains in contention for advancement with an upcoming game against Canada. The top teams from Pool A will move on to play quarterfinal games in Houston against qualifiers from Pool B.
Despite a rain delay of more than an hour, fans filled Hiram Bithorn Stadium with energy as Puerto Rico quickly took control. Veteran Martín Maldonado delivered a key hit early in the game, saying after the match, “Understand that we need to give credit to the batters before me who had good at-bats and they were able to run the bases. I was able to get the hit. MJ [Melendez], who was walked, he had a tough at-bat. What we wanted was not to do too much and pass the baton to the next guy.”
Pitching prospect Elmer Rodríguez started for Puerto Rico, striking out three batters over three scoreless innings. Four relievers followed, allowing only one unearned run across six frames. Edwin Díaz closed out the game by retiring all three batters he faced, including striking out Alexei Ramirez—the oldest player ever to appear in a World Baseball Classic game.
Díaz reflected on playing at home for the first time: “I feel really proud because it’s my first time playing back home. It’s important… We know one thing we have, and we have a really good team. We play really good defense. So I feel really good. I feel happy to be here for the first time.” Manager Yadier Molina praised his squad’s effort and attitude: “As a young team, these players, they don’t take anything for granted… They’re good listeners, they play hard, and I trust them… It’s a young core, and I’m happy for that.”
Puerto Rico is set to face Canada next and could secure the top seed from Pool A with another win.
