Puerto Rico defeats Cuba at home, advances to quarterfinals with revenge after 20 years

Ask any Puerto Rican baseball fan, and they will tell you about the 2006 World Baseball Classic game against Cuba. They narrowly lost 3-4 to this international baseball powerhouse, which was the most raucous occasion ever at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, and they have been patiently waiting for a chance to settle the score.

Twenty years later, they finally got it.

In the clash between the two undefeated teams in Group A, Puerto Rico defeated Cuba 4-1, securing a spot in the quarterfinals.

This victory gives Puerto Rico a 3-0 record in this Classic, while Cuba falls to 2-1. Cuba still has a chance to advance if they defeat Canada on Thursday. The qualifying teams from Group A will face the qualifying teams from Group B in Houston for the quarterfinals.

The fans waited 20 years, but before the game started they also waited over an hour due to a rain delay. However, no delay could dampen the passion and excitement the island's fans have shown all week at Hiram Bithorn Stadium. They soon had reason to cheer.

In the second inning, with one out and bases loaded, it was time for 39-year-old fan favorite Martín Maldonado to step up. The pride of Naguabo, a recently retired former MLB catcher, had sparked a comeback with a key pinch-hit single in last Sunday's rally against Panama. On the first pitch, he did it again.

"You know, credit goes to the batters before me who had good at-bats and got on base," Maldonado said after the game, "so I could hit the single. MJ (Melendez) who walked also fought hard. We thought about not trying to do too much, just pass the baton to the next guy."

Puerto Rico almost only needed those runs.

Yankees' No. 3 prospect Elmer Rodríguez started three scoreless innings, striking out three. Four Puerto Rican relievers then allowed only one unearned run over the next six innings.

That one run came from Alfredo Despaigne's double, with a poor throw by center fielder Heliot Ramos allowing the runner to score. Despaigne did not add another RBI, but his Classic extra-base hits reached 12, surpassing Jorge Cantu and Miguel Cabrera to stand alone in second place historically, three away from Frederich Cepeda's record of 15.

Puerto Rico added another run in the fifth inning via Carlos Cortes's sacrifice fly, and that indeed was all they needed, because this island rich in baseball talent possesses one of the league's top closers.

Edwin Díaz closed the game cleanly with a three-up-three-down inning, fittingly striking out 44-year-old Alexei Ramirez—the oldest player to appear in the Classic. Ramirez was a member of that 2006 Cuban team that defeated Puerto Rico. Revenge, indeed.

"I feel very proud because this is my first time playing at home. It's important," Díaz said, "We know we have a very good team, with very good defense. So I feel great. Happy to be here for the first time."

Manager Yadier Molina is immensely proud of his players' performance this week.

"As a young team, these players never take anything for granted," Molina said, "They love learning every day. We have some veterans who care about the young guys. The young players listen well, play hard, and I trust them. They played very well. We have a great group of guys. It's a young core, and I'm happy about that."

Puerto Rico will face Canada tomorrow. If they win, they will achieve a 4-0 record and secure the top spot in Group A.