Australia win extra-inning drama with Puerto Rico

World No. 15 Australia wanted to end the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024 Day 2 undefeated and succeeded, beating No. 10 Puerto Rico in the extra innings, 5-4.

Both teams struggled with their starting pitchers, and the outcome became the responsibility of bullpens.

Puerto Rico came within two outs from the win. Australia tied the game in the bottom of the seventh against Luis Rodriguez and won in the bottom of the ninth on a Chris Burke sacrifice fly.

In the top of the first, Australian starter Alistair Tanner allowed a two-out walk and John Montes made him pay, putting Puerto Rico ahead with an RBI double.

Puerto Rico starter Omar Melendez walked himself into trouble in the bottom half of the frame. Alexander Skepton sent him to the showers with an RBI single.

Alejandro Gonzalez got Jo Stevens to ground into a double play but couldn't avoid the Australian go-ahead run. He got out of the inning with another groundout.

A walk and a hit batter proved costly for Tanner in the top of the second. Randal Diaz singled to right field and tied the game. Australia gave the ball to William Sheriff to get out of the inning.

Puerto Rico took the lead in the top of the fifth against Stuart Tharle, the third Aussie pitcher. With one out and a 3-1 count, John Montes homered to left.

Puerto Rico gave the ball to Luis Rodriguez for the final three outs. The closer allowed a lead-off double to Jaylin Rae and walked Chris Burke.

Lucas Vega took over. He struck out Alexander Skepton and got the second out on a grounder. Jo Stevens turned his first pitch into a two-out RBI single that tied the game, sending it to extra innings.

Both teams scored one run in the eighth, and Australia won in the bottom of the ninth. Vega hit Jaylin Rae to lead off the at-bat, advancing the tie-break runners to third and second. Bailey-Jay Cooke scored the winning run from third on Chris Burke's sacrifice fly.

Australia (2-0) will close Day 3 on Sunday against World No. 1 Japan. Puerto Rico (1-1) will play No. 18 Great Britain.