Puerto Rico secured a 5-0 victory over Colombia in their Pool A opener at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, held at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan. The game featured a dominant pitching performance and a decisive fifth-inning outburst. Edwin Díaz closed the win with a strikeout performance to his signature entrance song.
The atmosphere at Hiram Bithorn Stadium was electric, with crowds audible in the parking lot and traffic jammed on nearby highways. Puerto Rican baseball icons Carlos Delgado, Pudge Rodriguez, Roberto Alomar, Carlos Beltrán, and Edgar Martinez took part in first-pitch ceremonies, heightening the excitement.
Puerto Rico, managed by Yadier Molina, struggled offensively through the first four innings, managing no hits against Colombia's pitching. Colombia's Jose Quintana delivered three scoreless innings, while Adrian Almeida added one more, keeping the game scoreless.
The fifth inning proved pivotal. Athletics teammates Carlos Cortes and Darell Hernaiz opened with Puerto Rico's first hits. An error by Colombia's Gio Urshela allowed the first run. Eddie Rosario followed with an RBI single to right field, scoring another run and energizing the crowd. Martín Maldonado added an RBI single, Willi Castro drove in a run with a double, and Heliot Ramos capped the inning with a sacrifice fly, giving Puerto Rico a 5-0 lead after five hits in the frame.
Seth Lugo, representing his grandfather's homeland and calling himself “Quarter-Rican,” started strong for Puerto Rico, allowing three hits and striking out three over four scoreless innings. Five relievers followed with four more scoreless frames.
In the ninth, Edwin Díaz entered to his Timmy Trumpet theme song, a thrilling moment in front of home fans after his 2023 knee injury during the previous World Baseball Classic. Díaz allowed one hit but struck out the side to seal the shutout.
“That was awesome,” Lugo said postgame. “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.”
“To me, it was a privilege to be here,” Castro added. “To be here with the guys, to have a chance to be in this great event. It's something that I'm never going to forget.”
“It’s a great moment,” Molina said of Díaz. “Not only for him, but for his family too. I’m so happy for him.”
Puerto Rico (1-0) faces Panama (0-1) at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday on FS1, while Colombia meets Canada (0-0) at 11 a.m. ET on FS2.
