Yadier Molina (41), who returned as coach, won a valuable victory in his debut match as the Puerto Rico coach of the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC).

Puerto Rico won 9-1 against Nicaragua in the first leg of Group D of the ‘2023 WBC’ held at Londipo Park in Miami, Florida, on the 12th (Korean time).

On this day, Puerto Rico appointed a large number of major league stars to its starting list. Francisco Lindor (Shortstop) – Quique Hernandez (Center Field) – MJ Melendez (Right Field) – Emmanuel Rivera (3 Base) – Javier Baez (2 Base) – Nephthali Soto (1 Base) – Eddie Rosario (Left Field) – Cristian Vasquez (Designated hitter) – Martin Maldonado (catcher), starting pitcher Marcus Stroman composed the starting list. Except for Soto, all of them are active major leaguers.

Puerto Rico took the lead in the bottom of the first inning. Leading hitter Lindor’s heavy hit, Hernandez’s walk, and Melendez’s true base made it 1-0 with Rivera’s grounder RBI at 1st and 3rd base.

In the top of the 5th, the score was tied. Stroman, who showed a perfect pitch without a loss, was hit by a solo shot by Elinian Miranda, making it 1-1. It didn’t take long to regain the lead. Puerto Rico made a big inning in the bottom of the 5th. With Lindor and Baez’s 1 RBI, Melendez’s 2 RBIs, and Rivera’s grounder RBI, they scored 5 points and ran away 6-1.

The Puerto Rican batting line, which had been quiet, spewed fire once again in the bottom of the 7th inning. In the second out, second and third base, the third baseman made a catch error against Soto’s batted ball, and in the meantime, the runner on third base stepped on the groove and ran away 7-1. With the bases loaded with two outs following, Vazquez scored two RBIs in a timely manner to seal the victory 9-1.메이저사이트

Starting pitcher Stroman played an active role with 2 hits (1 home run), 4 walks, 2 strikeouts and 1 run in 4⅔ innings. In the other line, Lindor, Baez, Vazquez, and Maldonado hit multi-hits. Melendez, Rivera, and Vazquez energized the team’s offense with a two-run game.

Puerto Rico got off to a good start by winning their first WBC match. At the same time, he gave Molina, a local legend who retired last year after playing 19 seasons in the major leagues, his first win as a manager.

Puerto Rico, whose atmosphere has heated up, will play the second group match against Venezuela at 8:00 am on the 13th at Londippo Park in Miami.