Puerto Rico eliminated Team USA after beating them 4-3 in the World Baseball Classic Friday night. With the win, the Puerto Ricans will advance to the final Pool 2 game where they will face the Dominican Republic Saturday afternoon before advancing to the semifinals.
Nelson Figueroa shut down the Americans as he went six scoreless innings of two hit baseball to earn the victory. The U.S. couldn't solve Figueroa and the Puerto Ricans' bats woke up right before his exit.
The Puerto Ricans had a feast in the top of the sixth inning after loading up the bases.
With Puerto Rico already winning 1-0, Vinnie Pestano came in for Ryan Vogelsong who left with a runner on first. Pestano walked Alex Rios after allowing a single to Mike Aviles. He then proceeded to give up three runs on a walk to Carlos Rivera with the bases loaded and two from a double by Andy Gonzalez and this gave Puerto Rico a 4-0 lead in the sixth inning.
Team USA then inched closer in the seventh inning after Joe Mauer tripled with one out and Giancarlo Stanton then followed with a single to score the catcher from third base. Team USA threatened to score more runs. Adam Jones was at the plate with runners on first and second bases when he struck out looking on a slider to end the inning and Jose de la Torre got Puerto Rico out of trouble.
The U.S. scored two in the eighth to make it 4-3, but then they left the bases loaded as Eric Hosmer grounded out to second base to kill the rally.
Next up for the Puerto Ricans is a rematch against the Dominican Republic as both met in the first round of the World Baseball Classic. The Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico 4-2. The Dominican Republic is still perfect in the 2013 WBC.
