Once again, the United States could only watch as an opposing pitcher celebrated at the World Baseball Classic.
This time it was 38-year-old right-hander Nelson Figueroa, who became the pride of Puerto Rico on Friday night when he led his team into the semifinals and eliminated the U.S., 4-3.
After Figueroa threw his last pitch to end the sixth inning, he leaped off the mound with a hoot like a kid at recess, then ran to catcher Yadier Molina to share a hug.
“We were supreme underdogs against that lineup,” Figueroa said. “It was motivation to show them what kind of pitcher I was.”
The Dominican Republic dominated the All-Star-laden U.S. squad Thursday. The Americans endured a scoreless streak of 14 innings spanning the two defeats, and Figueroa limited them to two singles in six shutout innings.
The U.S. hasn’t won the WBC — or even reached the final — in three tries.
“When you play double-elimination, it’s a crapshoot,” manager Joe Torre said. “And Figueroa pitched his tail off tonight.”
J.C. Romero escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth and retired the final four batters for his first save. The last out triggered a pileup of Puerto Ricans behind the mound.
They advanced for the first time to the semifinals, which begin Sunday in San Francisco. They’ll play the Dominican Republic on Saturday in the final game in Miami, which will determine seedings for the championship round.
Two-time defending champion Japan and the Netherlands round out the final four.
Puerto Rico lost to the United States 7-1 on Tuesday, then staved off elimination Wednesday, rallying from a 3-1 deficit in the eighth inning to beat Italy. The hits kept coming Friday, and the Puerto Ricans scored all four runs with two outs. Mike Aviles had an RBI single in the first, and Andy Gonzalez doubled home two runs in the sixth.
SHORT HOPS
David Wright has a moderate rib-cage strain and will be shut down for three to five days, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson announced Friday. Manager Terry Collins, however, fears the third baseman won’t be ready to play for two to three weeks, putting Wright’s participation in the Mets’ season opener April 1 in jeopardy. There also is a possibility that Wright will start the season on the disabled list. …The Yankees have agreed to terms on a one-year major league contract with outfielder Brennan Boesch.
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