Puerto Rico is returning to the championship game of the World Baseball Classic for a second time in the last two editions with a 4-3 win over the Netherlands. A sac fly in the bottom of the 11th inning decided the outcome in walk-off style. The Dutch team had tied the game at 3-3 in the fifth.

The game at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles started with a pair of two-run home runs by Wladimir Balentien and Carlos Correa and the score of 2-2 after the first. A solo shot by T.J. Rivera in the second gave Puerto Rico a 3-2 advantage, which the Dutch team erased through a RBI double by Shawn Zarraga in the fifth. During that play Jonathan Schoop collided with catcher Yadier Molina at home and was called out by the umpire.

Afterwards bullpens exchanged zeroes on the board until the second extra inning. The extra inning rule was used. Puerto Rico did better, as Carlos Correa scored on the bases loaded, one-out sac fly by Eddie Rosario and sealed the win.

With the victory Puerto Rico remained undefeated in the tournament and reached the finals, while the Netherlands once again got eliminated in the semifinals.

Source Link: http://www.mister-baseball.com