The World Baseball Classic quarterfinals saw an intense battle between two of the best teams in the tournament – Mexico and Puerto Rico. In the end, it was the Mexican team that came out victorious with a come-from-behind win to secure their spot in the semifinals.
Going into the game, Puerto Rico was considered the clear favorite with an impressive 5-0 record in the tournament so far. On the other hand, Mexico had struggled in their early games and had a record of 2-2, making them the underdogs in this matchup.
The game started off strong for the Puerto Rican team, who quickly took a 4-0 lead in the first inning. It looked like it was going to be a rough night for Mexico, but they refused to give up. They managed to chip away at Puerto Rico’s lead, scoring a run in the third inning and two more in the sixth.
However, it wasn’t until the top of the ninth inning that Mexico really turned things around. With Puerto Rico leading 4-3, the Mexican team managed to load the bases with two outs. Then, Lupillo Rivera came to bat and hit a two-run double, giving Mexico the lead for the first time in the game.
Puerto Rico tried to mount a comeback of their own in the bottom of the ninth, but it wasn’t enough. Mexico’s pitcher, Roberto Osuna, managed to hold off the Puerto Rican offense and secure the win.
The victory was a huge morale boost for Mexico, who had struggled in the early stages of the tournament. It was also a sweet revenge for the Mexican team, who had lost to Puerto Rico in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
The win not only secured Mexico’s spot in the semifinals but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of the tournament. While Puerto Rico was considered the stronger team, anything can happen in a game of baseball.
Mexico will now face Japan in the semifinals, in what is sure to be another intense battle. With their newfound confidence and momentum, Mexican fans will be hoping that their team can pull off another upset and make it to the finals.
