Puerto Rico did not allow a single baserunner in an eight-inning 10-0 mercy-rule victory over Israel on Monday.
Due to the game being called after eight innings, Puerto Rico would not be credited with a complete game. World Baseball Classic.
Martin Maldonado of Team Puerto Rico slides home to score against Team Israel at Londepot Park on Monday, March 13, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Rob Tringali/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) =)
Four pitchers for Puerto Rico combined to retire 24 straight hitters from Israel. End the game on a walk-off single from Enrique Hernandez in the bottom of the eighth inning.
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“So happy for the boys, especially after what happened on Sunday,” Puerto Rico manager Yadier Molina Said in Spanish. “I’m very proud to come out aggressively and win the game the way we did.”
The WBC allows the mercy rule to be applied if a team leads by 10 runs after the seventh inning or by 15 runs after the fifth inning.
Starting pitcher Jose De Leon threw 5.2 innings before the three pitchers combined for 2.1 innings the rest of the way.
Jose de Leon of Puerto Rico celebrates after leaving the game in the sixth inning against Israel at Londepot Park on March 13, 2023 in Miami. (Eric Espada/Getty Images)
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De Leon, who plays in Minnesota Twins Minor League Systemsaid he started to realize what was going on after the third inning.
“They didn’t say a word,” De Leon said, according to ESPN. “Then I knew something was up.”
De Leon has struggled with injuries in his career, requiring Tommy John surgery in 2018.
“It’s a great moment for all of us but especially for him,” Molina said, “having his family here and what he’s been through in his career.” I am very happy with his outing. I know Jose well and have worked with him. He deserves it all.”
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Team Puerto Rico pitchers who combined for eight hitless innings March 13, 2023 in Miami are, from left, Yaxel Rios, Jose de Leon, Edwin Diaz and Duane Underwood Jr. (Rob Tringali/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
De Leon struck out 10 hitters, tying a WBC record.
“I dreamed about a moment like this,” De Leon said. “After all the problems I’ve been through, I deserved this kind of moment. I wanted to tell the public that I’m here to stay and also show the world that Jose de Leon can still compete.”
Puerto Rico will play the Dominican Republic on Thursday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
