Team Puerto Rico Defeats Japan; Moves On to WBC Championship

The start of the MLB season is still nearly two weeks away, but the World Baseball Classic is providing more than enough drama to last past opening day. 

Last night, a screaming crowd in San Francisco witnessed the Puerto Rico team beat Japan 3-1 in the World Baseball Classic semi-finals. It was Team Puerto Rico's first trip to the Championships and they sent the defending champs home in spectacular fashion.

Chicago White Sox right-fielder Alex Rios hit a two-run home run in the 7th inning to seal it for Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican team had scored the first run of the game in the first inning when Mike Aviles singled to center, driving in infielder Irving Falu. Rios' home run brought the crowd and the team to their feet as he circled the bases and headed into home, according to ESPN. 

"It was a very emotional at-bat," Rios said. We're very proud of what we've done. It means a lot for us and to our fans." 

The Puerto Ricans were already coming off an emotional game, having eliminated the U.S. team on Friday. From there, they had to travel cross country from Miami to San Francisco.  Despite the long travel, manager Edwin Rodriguez was confident in his team.

"We knew that we had something good going on after we got through the second round," Rodriguez said. "Coming here and winning and eliminating Team Japan, that means a lot. There are a lot of emotions. We know that a lot of people down in Puerto Rico are watching. This is a huge performance and a huge accomplishment for the people of Puerto Rico, not only for the players and youngsters but also for the people of Puerto Rico." 

The Japanese team, which won in 2006 and 2009 came up short, in part because this squad had no MLB players on the roster. In a unique sign of sportsmanship, Team Japan bowed to the fans and the Puerto Rican Team after the game. 

"We were all domestic players from Nippon baseball," skipper Koji Yamamoto said. "It's challenging to get adjusted before the season, so as a team, despite the challenges, they really had the unity to fight the game."

Team Puerto Rico will face the winner of tonight's semi-final of the Netherlands versus The Dominican Republic.