In a stunning start to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals, Italy has chased Puerto Rico starter Seth Lugo from the game in the first inning. Italy currently leads Puerto Rico 3-1 following a relentless offensive surge to open the elimination contest.
According to Jeff Passan, Lugo’s outing lasted only a fraction of the first inning. The right-hander’s line included a walk, a strikeout, another walk, and three consecutive singles before manager Yadier Molina made the call to the bullpen. The early exit puts significant pressure on the Puerto Rican relief corps in this high-stakes matchup.
The "Azzurri" have been one of the most compelling stories of the tournament thus far, and their aggressive approach at the plate against a veteran MLB arm like Seth Lugo reinforces their momentum in the knockout stage. Puerto Rico, a perennial powerhouse in the WBC, now finds itself trailing early as they look to fight back and secure a spot in the semifinals.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Sources & Original Reporting
