Italy 8, Puerto Rico 6
HOUSTON (Mar. 14) — Italy has arrived — and their 8–6 win over Puerto Rico in Saturday’s World Baseball Classic quarterfinals proved it.
Italy stole five bases, walked eight times, and cracked eight hits in the victory. They head to the semifinals in Miami — the deepest run by Italy in the history of the World Baseball Classic.
Italy – Puerto Rico Game Summary
Puerto Rico jumped ahead immediately, as Willi Castro opened the game with a leadoff homer into the Crawford Boxes for a 1–0 lead. Italy answered forcefully in the bottom half. Three straight RBI singles — from Vinnie Pasquantino, Dominic Canzone, and Jac Caglianone — flipped the score to 3–1 and knocked starter Seth Lugo out after only one out. J.J. D’Orazio added a bases‑loaded sacrifice fly to make it 4–1 before Puerto Rico finally escaped the inning, stranding two more. Puerto Rico got one run back in the top of the second when Martin Maldonado was plunked with the bases loaded.
The score stayed 4–2 until the bottom of the fourth, when Italy mounted another two‑out rally. Three consecutive walks loaded the bases for Andrew Fischer, who drove a deep ball to right. A fan reached over the fence and below the yellow line to catch it, turning it into a ground‑rule double by rule and advancing all runners two bases. D’Orazio followed with another ground‑rule double — this one bouncing out of play — to push the lead to 8–2.
Puerto Rico Makes It Interesting
A bases-loaded force play (3–6) by Eddie Rosario brought in a run for Puerto Rico in the top of the eighth. A hit batsman and wild pitch brought in another run and put runners on second and third. Christian Vazquez — that hitter — ultimately singled, making the score 8–6 in favor of Italy and getting the raucous crowd fired up.
But Italy manager Francisco Cervelli, as strategic with when his pitching changes happen as he is with whom he brings in, had another trick up his sleeve. In trotted fireman Greg Weissert. A strikeout of Castro, single by Hernaiz, and groundout to third by Arenado stopped the bleeding and preserved the 8–6 lead.
Italy left two runners in scoring position in the top of the ninth against Edwin Diaz. But it ultimately did not matter, as Weissert pitched around a leadoff single by Carlos Cortes. A strikeout and two outfield flyouts later, Italy secured the victory and a trip to Miami for the semifinals.
What Went Right for Italy
Punished Mistakes
Italy’s offense pounced on Puerto Rico starter Seth Lugo and the rest of the team’s early pitching struggles. Three straight RBI singles in the first inning flipped the game immediately. The fourth inning’s two‑out surge — fueled by three walks and back‑to‑back ground‑rule doubles — showed a lineup that refused to let chances slip away. “The plan was to attack Lugo because we knew they had four lefties,” Cervelli said. “We also have a bunch of lefties. So the guys followed the plan the way they should.”
Smart Baserunning
Italy’s awareness on the bases put them into position to take advantage of any mistake Puerto Rico might make. They took extra bases aggressively but selectively, going first-to-third when possible. Vinnie Pasquantino, of all people, stole two bases. “Espresso makes me run fast. Sometimes you get a read,” Pasquantino said, referring to the team using espresso to celebrate in the dugout. He later added with a sly smile, “I’ve never been thrown out.”
Greg Weissert Saves the Day
After Puerto Rico cut the lead to 8–6 in the eighth, Greg Weissert delivered exactly what Italy needed: a strikeout, a single allowed, and a groundout to halt the rally. “He’s the guy,” Cervelli said of Weissert, “because he played at Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park. He played against Toronto. So that’s the guy. He knows what a hostile environment is. He knows. And he was the guy.” Pasquantino added, “That was awesome. The guy shows like no emotion and you need that from some guys. I mean, the place was going nuts today.” He later added, “Team Puerto Rico fans showed out, and it was awesome. It was getting real loud in there. Greg being able to come in, slam the door.” Fischer agreed, saying, “(Greg) showed a ton of poise out there.”
What Went Wrong for Italy
Fell Behind Early
Willi Castro’s leadoff homer into the Crawford Boxes put Puerto Rico ahead before many fans had settled in. It didn’t rattle Italy, but it did force them to play from behind before even taking their first at-bat.
Missed Opportunities to Put Game Away
Despite scoring eight runs, Italy left several chances on the table. They stranded two in the first, two more in the fourth, and couldn’t cash in during the ninth against Diaz. Those missed chances nearly loomed large when Puerto Rico mounted its eighth‑inning surge and had a runner reach in the ninth.
The Eighth Inning
A four-run eighth inning let Puerto Rico back in the game. A hit batsman, a wild pitch, and a run‑scoring single tightened the score to 8–6 and ignited the crowd.
What Went Right for Puerto Rico
Scored Immediately
Puerto Rico set the tone early with Castro’s leadoff homer, a jolt that energized their dugout and the large contingent of fans behind them.
Made Valiant Comeback
Down 8–2, Puerto Rico refused to fold. Their eighth‑inning rally — a force play, a hit batsman, a wild pitch, and a clutch single by Christian Vazquez — brought the tying run to the plate and reignited the ballpark.
What Went Wrong for Puerto Rico
Gave Up Two Big Innings
The first and fourth innings were the difference in the game. Lugo recorded only one out before being chased, and the fourth‑inning walks set up Fischer and D’Orazio to break it open.
Allowed Lots of Walks
Seven walks — including three in a row in the fourth — repeatedly put Italy in scoring position.
Couldn’t Finish the Comeback
Puerto Rico had the tying run at the plate in the eighth and ninth but couldn’t deliver the final blow. Weissert’s entrance stopped their best rally cold, and the ninth‑inning leadoff single didn’t lead to anything more.
Quotes
“It was a very emotional game… It hurts, and obviously I would have wanted us to win the game and gone on to the next round. But again, I’m very proud of the guys. We fought to the end, and we want to give credit to Italy.” — Puerto Rico manager Yadier Molina on how he and his team felt after the game.
“Imagine doing this for the first time and arrive to the semifinal. It’s amazing. This is great. This is one of the best chapters of my life.” — Italy manager Francisco Cervelli on Italy reaching the semifinals undefeated.
“No, I guess the simple answer to your question, no, but I’m so happy about this group.” — Italy first baseman and captain Vinnie Pasquantino on whether he ever imagined the team would build this level of chemistry so quickly.
“Shout out to Francisco for keeping him in there. That takes some stones to leave a guy in there. I’m sure Boston will be calling about that. The other teams are dealing with teams calling us too.” — Italy first baseman and captain Vinnie Pasquantino on manager Francisco Cervelli’s decision to leave Greg Weissert in to pitch the ninth.
“I think, as a young guy, our team chemistry has come along so fast. That started with Vinnie. … Props to Vinnie for setting the tone for the team.” — Italy third baseman Andrew Fischer on what he wished more people understood about the Italy team.
Looking Ahead
Sam Aldegheri earned the win for Italy despite only recording four outs, as Seth Lugo took the loss for Puerto Rico after retiring one of the six batters he faced. Weissert notched the save.
Italy heads to Miami for the semifinals, where they will face the winner of Japan–Venezuela. That game was still being played at press time.
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