Houston, TX - The World Baseball Classic continues to deliver surprises, and this time it was Team Italy pulling off a stunner against Puerto Rico, securing an 8-6 victory in the quarterfinals. For Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz, it was a night of mixed emotions as he took the mound trying to keep Puerto Rico's hopes alive.
A Nail-Biting Eighth
The game echoed Italy's earlier upset over the Americans, with Italy jumping out to an early lead and then clinging on as Puerto Rico mounted a comeback. By the time Diaz entered, Puerto Rico had clawed back with a four-run eighth inning, narrowing the gap to 8-6.
Diaz's mission was clear: keep Italy from extending their lead and give Puerto Rico a shot at a ninth-inning rally. It was a task he accomplished, though not without some drama.
Command Issues
Diaz, who had been lights out in his previous WBC outings, stumbled at the start. His first pitch hit Sam Antonacci on the foot, immediately putting pressure on the Puerto Rican defense.
Antonacci wasted no time, stealing second and setting up a tense situation. Despite some command issues, Diaz managed to retire the next two batters, bringing up slugger Vinnie Pasquantino with first base open.
Opting for caution, Diaz pitched around Pasquantino, but a wild pitch allowed Antonacci to advance to third.
With runners on second and third, the stakes were high as Diaz faced Dominic Canzone. Falling behind in the count, Diaz showed resilience.
He worked his way back with a well-placed slider for a called strike, and then, on a full count, delivered another slider. Though it wasn't his best pitch, Canzone could only manage a foul tip into the catcher's mitt, ending the inning and keeping Puerto Rico's hopes alive.
Puerto Rico's WBC Journey Ends
In the ninth, Puerto Rico got their leadoff man on base, sparking hope for a late rally. However, Italian closer Greg Weissert had other plans. He shut down the comeback attempt with three consecutive outs, sealing the win for Italy and sending Puerto Rico home.
For Diaz and his teammates, it was a tough end to their WBC campaign. As they head back to Arizona, they'll reflect on a tournament filled with highs and lows, and the unexpected challenges that come with international play.