SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — A game that began as a pitching duel ended with one of the most dramatic finishes of the opening weekend of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Darell Hernáiz delivered the game-winning hit in the 10th inning to lift Team Puerto Rico to a thrilling 4-3 victory over Team Panama Sunday night at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Pool A of the 2026 WBC.
Before the first pitch, the crowd of more than 18,000 erupted as Puerto Rican music star Young Miko joined Kiké Hernández on the mound for the ceremonial first pitch, setting the tone for a high-energy evening in San Juan.
Prior to Puerto Rico vs. Panama starting up on Saturday night in San Juan, Young Miko delivered the first pitch to Kiké Hernández, who was stationed behind home plate – Image Credit: Joel Rodriguez/Latino Sports
The matchup came exactly 20 years after Puerto Rico and Panama faced each other in the inaugural WBC in 2006.
Despite missing star infielders Francisco Lindor, Javier Báez, and Carlos Correa, Puerto Rico leaned on a blend of veterans and emerging talent to secure the victory.
The game remained scoreless through four innings as both starters dominated. Puerto Rico’s Eduardo Rivera, a towering six-foot-seven left-hander in the Boston Red Sox system at 22-years-old, impressed—allowing just one hit over 4 1/3 innings while striking out five and reaching a maximum velocity of 97.4-MPH.
Panama finally broke through in the fifth inning. Jonathan Araúz reached after being hit by a pitch before Christian Bethancourt drove him in with a double.
Luis Castillo followed with another double, giving Panama an early 2-0 lead.
Puerto Rico answered in the sixth when Nolan Arenado lifted a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The score held until the bottom of the ninth when Puerto Rico mounted a rally against Panama’s bullpen. With the bases loaded and one out, Willi Castro drew a walk to force in the tying run and send the game to extra innings.
Panama briefly reclaimed the lead in the 10th when José Caballero singled home Bethancourt to make it 3-2. But Puerto Rico refused to go quietly.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning, Carlos Cortes grounded into a double play that tied the game again and set the stage for Hernáiz.
The infielder, who has appeared in a just 51 major league games since 2020, delivered the biggest hit of his career, sending the home crowd into a frenzy instantly becoming a household name that Puerto Rican fans will be talking about in their local panadería.
After the game, Puerto Rico manager Yadier Molina joked that he didn’t offer any advice before Hernáiz stepped to the plate.
“No,” Molina said with a laugh. “I called a challenge and was busy with that so I couldn’t talk to him.”
Hernáiz said the dugout kept things simple.
“About three or four people told me to hit it out and send us home,” he said.
With the win, Puerto Rico improved to 2-0 in pool play under Molina and will enjoy an off day before facing Cuba on Monday.
Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content
Instagram: @latinosportsoficial
Facebook: Latino Sports
Twitter: @latinosports
Julio
March 8, 2026 at 12:46 pm
Good article👍🏽