Molina Leads Puerto Rico Past Dominican Republic

By ESPN

With 34-year-old Yadier Molina leading the way, Puerto Rico had a ball in beating defending World Baseball Classic champion the Dominican Republic on Tuesday night.

Molina homered, hit an RBI single and celebrated big plays just as hard as younger teammates as the exuberant Puerto Ricans won 3-1 in the second round to snap the Dominican Republic's 11-game WBC winning streak.

It was a rematch of the 2013 WBC title game, which the Dominicans won 3-0 at San Francisco's AT&T Park.

The small but peppy crowd at Petco Park chanted, clapped, waved flags and banged cowbells throughout the game.

The Puerto Ricans responded with the joy of Little Leaguers, from the first inning until the final out.

"The only way to play against the Dominican Republic is with passion and motivation," said Molina, the St. Louis Cardinals' star catcher. "They are an incredible team."

After right fielder Eddie Rosario threw out Jean Segura at the plate with a one-hopper to Molina to end the top of the first, pitcher Orlando Roman jumped around while Molina punched the air in celebration. Teammates converged on Rosario and chest-bumped him so hard he fell down.

While that play set the tone, the Puerto Ricans had an even more incredible play to end the eighth, when Molina threw out Nelson Cruz trying to steal second. Second baseman Javier Baez was smiling and pointing his right index finger at Molina even as he caught the throw and put down a no-look tag. Molina whipped off his mask and thrust it in the air and the infielders practically skipped off the field. Baez threw the ball all the way into the third deck as he ran off the field.

Edwin Diaz struck out Segura to earn the save and an emotional hug from Molina. One of the Puerto Rico players tossed the rosin bag in the air.

"Facing a team like the Dominican Republic, the motivation was there for us," manager Edwin Rodriguez said. "We were waiting four years for this, and we played well offensively, defensively and on the mound."

The Puerto Ricans even whipped the ball around the infield with purpose after each strikeout.

"We have lots of energy, youth. They were waiting for this moment. This was a moment to celebrate," Rodriguez said.

Molina "brings so much, not only defensively but offensively," the manager said. "He's the heart of the team."

Tuesday, March 14 Spring Training Scores

Tampa Bay 9, Baltimore 6

Boston 5, Toronto 4

New York Mets 2, Houston 1

Philadelphia 9, Atlanta 0

Detroit 7, Miami 1

Tampa Bay 10, New York Yankees 6

San  Francisco 6, Cleveland 5

Kansas City 8, Los Angeles Angels 4

Colorado 4, Oakland 3

Milwaukee 7, Chicago Cubs 7

Los Angeles Dodgers 6, Cincinnati 5

Seattle 7, Chicago White Sox 6

Arizona 12, Texas 0

Wednesday, March 15 Schedule (All Times Central)

Atlanta at Detroit, 12:05 p.m.

St. Louis at Minnesota, 12:05 p.m.

Washington at Houston, 12:05 p.m.

Baltimore at Pittsburgh, 12:05 p.m.

New York Mets at Miami, 12:05 p.m.

Boston at Tampa Bay, 12:05 p.m.

Kansas City at Chicago White Sox, 3:05 p.m.

Cleveland at Texas, 3:05 p.m.

San Diego at Cincinnati, 3:05 p.m.

Los Angeles Angels at Seattle, 3:10 p.m.

Milwaukee at Colorado, 3:10 p.m.

Philadelphia at New York Yankees, 5:35 p.m.

Arizona at Chicago, 9:05 p.m.