Houston. The Puerto Rico national team (baseball team) was eliminated from the 2026 World Baseball Classic after losing 8-6 to Italy (baseball team) in the quarter-final match played before more than 30,000 fans at Daikin Park.
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The Puerto Rican team attempted a comeback in the final innings, but failed to complete the return and said goodbye to the tournament in this round for the second consecutive edition, after also being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the previous tournament.
Italy, for its part, achieved a historic qualification to the semifinals with a perfect record of 5-0 and will move to Miami to play its next match at loanDepot Park.
Puerto Rico had taken the lead in the first inning thanks to a solo home run by Willi Castro, which ignited the fans present in the stadium. However, the Italian offense responded quickly and punished the starting pitcher Seth Lugo, scoring four runs in the same inning to take control of the game.
The European team extended its lead in the fourth inning with another offensive attack that included productive doubles and put them ahead 8-2.
When it seemed the game was decided, Puerto Rico reacted in the eighth inning. Consecutive singles by Carlos Cortés and Christian Vázquez, among other plays, allowed the Boricuas to close the score to 8-6 and bring excitement back to the stadium.
However, the Italian relay managed to contain the offensive in the ninth inning to seal the victory and secure the historic pass to the semifinals.
The game also marked the last professional tournament for Puerto Rican catcher Martín Maldonado, who announced his retirement after a 15-season career in Major League Baseball.
The Puerto Rican team, managed by Yadier Molina, competed in the tournament despite the absence of several of its main figures such as Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and José Berríos.
With the triumph, Italy will continue its surprising journey in the World Baseball Classic, while Puerto Rico ends its participation after a battle that maintained the hope of a comeback until the last outs of the match.
