An All-Star lineup worked out to a first-round exit for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.
The pre-tournament favorites, featuring a roster stacked with some of the biggest names in MLB, was eliminated in pool play Wednesday with a 5-2 loss to Puerto Rico. It was a do-or-die game for both teams, but the DR came out flat and couldn’t recover in front of a raucous Miami crowd with fans on both sides.
Puerto Rico got on the board with a four-run third inning that started with a solo homer by Christian Vázquez, followed by four straight singles. The exclamation point came two innings later, when Francisco Lindor notched a little-league home run courtesy of a misplay by Dominican center fielder Julio Rodríguez.
The play was officially scored as a single for Lindor and a three-base error for Rodríguez.
The firepower of the Dominican lineup meant it was difficult to ever rule out a comeback, but the Puerto Rico bullpen proved itself as one of the strongest in the tournament. Eight pitchers took the mound, capped off by closer Edwin Díaz.
At 3-1, Puerto Rico officially finishes second in Pool D, behind 4-0 Venezuela. Both will advance to the quarterfinals beginning Friday in Miami.