The 2023 World Baseball Classic is intensifying and most recently Team Mexico beat Puerto Rico 5-4 to advance to the semifinals. Mexico has never made it to this stage in the tournament and they earned this opportunity after coming from behind in dramatic fashion during the quarterfinal game in which they trailed 4-0 early on. The comeback was capped off by a Luis Urias go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning along with some dramatic defensive play later on.
With Mexico trailing 4-1, to begin the seventh inning Puerto Rico sent Alexis Diaz to the mound. He is the brother of the most recently injured Edwin Diaz. Diaz allowed the first three runners to reach base before being subbed out for Jorge Lopez.
With Lopez on the mound, he recorded the first two outs without allowing a run to cross home plate. Then Isaac Paredes hit a game tying jam shot into left field. This brought up Luis Urias, who went on to single home the go-ahead RBI.
Milwaukee Brewers Luis Urias delivers a go-ahead RBI for Team Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
MEXICO HAS THE LEAD!
After being down 4-0 in the 1st, Mexico has come back and will carry a lead into the 8th inning!
📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/XGQ0qdbceK
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 18, 2023
After taking a 5-4 lead, the drama did not stop there. In the top of the eighth inning Puerto Rico mounted a comeback. A one out walk by MJ Melendez brought up Emmanuel Rivera. On a full count, and with Melendez in motion, a ball into deep left was hit and miraculously hauled in by Randy Arozarena.
What.A.Catch!!!!!!!!!!
— Tyler Koerth (@TylerKoerth) March 18, 2023
In the ninth inning, Giovanny Gallegos would close out the game for Team Mexico to secure their semifinal bid. Mexico now has a showdown with Japan on Sunday night with a trip to the finals on the line.
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