SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Seth Lugo made an impressive comeback in the World Baseball Classic on Friday, helping Puerto Rico secure a 5-0 victory over Colombia in their Group A opener at Hiram Bithorn Stadium. The right-handed pitcher worked through more than four innings, allowing only three hits while dominating the mound.
“Every inning you could feel the fans. Go out there and get the W. It was really special for me, something I won’t forget,”
Lugo said.
Edwin Díaz Closes Out the Game with Confidence
Closing the game for Puerto Rico, Edwin Díaz pitched the ninth inning effectively. After Tito Polo contributed with a pinch-hit single and advanced on a passed ball, Díaz struck out the side to finish the game. Díaz missed the entire 2023 MLB season due to a right knee injury that occurred while celebrating Puerto Rico’s win in a previous World Baseball Classic.
“Unbelievable moment for us to see Sugar coming in from the bullpen and to hear the crowd, not only for him but for his family to be here and that moment for him,”
said Puerto Rico manager Yadier Molina. “I’m excited for him.”
Lugo’s Past and Present Performances Highlight His Role
At 36 years old, Lugo has been a key part of Puerto Rico’s WBC teams before, including the 2017 tournament where he posted a 2-1 record with a 4.20 ERA across three starts and struck out 12 batters in 15 innings. He notably started the 2017 championship final against the United States, allowing four runs over four-plus innings in an 8-0 loss.
In this year’s matchup against Colombia, Lugo began strong, allowing no baserunners in the first inning. However, he ran into difficulty in the second, with Colombia placing runners at second and third base with one out. Lugo recovered by retiring Carlos Martinez on a fly out and striking out Brayan Buelvas.
Maintaining Control Through Challenging Innings
In the fourth inning, Lugo gave up two singles but escaped further damage when Martínez grounded into a double play. After issuing a leadoff walk in the fifth inning to Buelvas, Lugo was relieved by Kansas City Royals pitcher Rico Garcia, who received a warm ovation from the crowd of 18,793 as he took the mound.
“Yeah, that was really cool. I got goose bumps,”
Lugo reflected.
“I get goose bumps now thinking about it. You come off, and the fans are chanting your name. That doesn’t happen all the time. That’s really, really special.”
What This Win Means for Puerto Rico’s Campaign
This opening victory sets a positive tone for Puerto Rico’s journey in the World Baseball Classic, with Lugo’s performance reaffirming his value to the team. The strong pitching display combined with effective closing by Díaz and contributions from players like Polo and Garcia create a hopeful outlook for the squad as the tournament progresses.
