Four pitchers showed off perfect pitches while facing 24 batters, not allowing a single one to get on base. It was the moment when the first team perfect pitch (unofficial) in the history of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) came out.안전놀이터
Puerto Rico won the 8th cold game 10-0 in the 2023 WBC finals round 1 group stage match against Israel in Group D held at Londipo Park in Miami, Florida on the 14th.
On this day, Puerto Rico starter Jose De Leon (31, Minnesota Twins) fought back with no hits, no walks, and 10 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Although he pitched perfectly, he had to come off the mound due to the pitch limit (65 per round). De Leon raised his right hand to greet the standing ovation crowd.
And the teammates who came to the mound continued De Leon’s momentum. Yaxel Rios (1/3 inning), Edwin Dias (1 inning), and Duain Underwood Jr. (1 inning) also tied up the Israeli batting line with perfect pitches with no hits and no runs.
Puerto Rico’s batting line gave up 11 hits and scored 10 runs, strengthening the pitching staff.
Although the team perfect record was not officially recognized as the game ended in a called game after 9 innings, it was the first ever team perfect pitch in the WBC.
“To be honest, I’ve always dreamed of a moment like this,” De Leon said after the match. It was a special moment for me.” He continued, “I want to dedicate this victory to my fans and family who have shown me faith until the end.”
De Leon was a member of Puerto Rico’s 2017 WBC runner-up. At this time, at the age of 25, he was one of the promising players. However, during spring camp in 2018, he tore his right ligament and had to spend a long time in rehabilitation. At the time, he was even more regretful because he was named in the starting rotation for the Tampa Bay Rays (MLB). It was unclear whether he would be able to stand on the mound again. Fortunately, he recovered and returned to the mound, but his skills were not as good as before. He was eventually traded from the Rays to the Cincinnati Reds and released by the Reds in July 2021. And in December of last year, he signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins.
Puerto Rico, the 2013 and 2017 WBC runner-up, hoped to win the tournament (gold medal), and most of the players dyed their hair golden this time as in 2017. Fans also responded and dyed their hair golden.
Puerto Rico, who has currently won 2 wins (1 loss) in the group stage, will face the Dominican Republic (1 win 1 loss) on the 16th for a ticket to the quarterfinals.