Puerto Rico opens World Baseball Classic with statement win in front of electric San Juan crowd

Image Credit: Julian Guilarte/Latino Sports

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — The return of the World Baseball Classic to Puerto Rico felt less like a baseball game and more like a national celebration.

Before the first pitch was even thrown, Hiram Bithorn Stadium transformed into a cultural showcase of the Caribbean—with Puerto Rico’s Bomba y Plena filling the stadium, a powerful Afro-Puerto Rican music and dance tradition rooted in the island’s African heritage. Colombia has its own version with Cumbia and Mapalé, both iconic Afro-Colombian rhythms born from centuries of resistance and cultural fusion among enslaved Africans during the 16th through 18th centuries. 

Only after the music and dancing ended did the baseball begin.

The night also carried historical significance. The 2026 tournament marks the 20th anniversary of the World Baseball Classic, and Puerto Rico hosted games in the event for the first time in 13 years.

Team Puerto Rico general manager and island legend Carlos Beltrán delivered the ceremonial first pitch, surrounded by fellow icons of Puerto Rican baseball—Puerto Rico’s manager Yadier Molina, hitting coach Edgar Martínez, Iván Rodriguez, Roberto Alomar and Carlos Delgado. The six players have collectively represented Puerto Rico across multiple years of the tournament, symbolizing generations of baseball excellence on the island.

When the game began, Puerto Rico quickly leaned on its pitching. And there was no one better than right-hander Seth Lugo, a multiple-time LatinoMVP Award recipient. As he faced his former New York Mets teammate José Quintana of Colombia, Lugo delivered four shutout innings while allowing just three hits. Now a Kansas City Royal as Quintana is a Colorado Rockie, Lugo mixed eight different pitches throughout his outing, striking out three hitters and navigating early traffic to keep Colombia off the scoreboard.

“It’s great to show up and show out in Puerto Rico, especially with my parents and grandfather in the stands,” Lugo said after the game. 

Colombia threatened early in the second inning with runners on first and second and no outs, but Puerto Rico escaped the jam, preserving the lead.

The breakthrough came in the fifth inning after struggling to generate offense early, as Puerto Rico capitalized on a defensive miscue by third baseman Gio Urshela that allowed the first run to score.

Moments later, Eddie Rosario and Martín Maldonado delivered key hits to extend the lead as the home crowd erupted into chants of “Eddie!” and “Machete!”

Puerto Rico ultimately broke the game open with five runs in the inning and the bullpen carried the momentum from there. A group that included Rico Garcia, Jovani Morán and Yacksel Ríos combined to keep Colombia scoreless while stranding runners throughout the late innings. Colombia finished the night leaving seven runners on base.

The final moment belonged to closer Edwin Díaz entering the ninth inning to the familiar sound of Timmy Trumpet’s “Narco.” Díaz struck out three batters to seal Puerto Rico’s victory, sending the home crowd into celebration. The appearance carried added emotion for the star closer, a two-time LatinoMVP Reliever of the Year, who had previously suffered a devastating injury while pitching for Puerto Rico during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

“It’s special to have him back, have him out there pitching at his level especially after what happened the last time he pitched in the WBC,” manager Yadier Molina said. “It’s a special moment and a treat for the fans in attendance.”

The electric atmosphere reinforced why many players consider the tournament unlike anything else in baseball.

“The WBC doesn’t have anything to envy from the World Series,” Puerto Rico star Kiké Hernández said.

With the home crowd fully behind them and their pitching staff setting the tone early, Puerto Rico opened pool play with the type of statement performance that has long made the island one of the tournament’s most passionate hosts.

And if opening night was any indication, the volume in San Juan may only get louder as the tournament continues.

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