Puerto Rico shock defending U-23 Baseball World Champions Japan

Four pitchers, led by dominating starter Jorhan Laboy, limited the defending U-23 World Champions and World No. 1 Japan to three hits. The offense took a quick lead, and No. 10 Puerto Rico cruised to a surprise 6-1 win in the last game of Field 2 at the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024 on Friday.

Puerto Rico got quickly to Japan's starter Koki Kaniwaki. Edgardo Rosado led off with a single, and Edrick Morales brought him third with a one-out double. Luis Gonzalez batted in the first run with a base hit to centre field. Luis Hernandez made it 2-0 with a two-out single, and Daniel Figueroa went back-to-back for the third run.

Puerto Rico made it 4-0 in the top of the third. Felix Morales led off with a double and scored on a two-out double by Luis Hernandez.

Jorhan Laboy allowed leadoff hitter Yamada Takuya the first Japanese hit in the bottom of the third. He loaded the bases on three walks in the bottom of the fourth but got out of the jam by striking out Kazuhiro Ura.

Oga Nishimura took the mound for Japan in the top of the fifth.

Puerto Rico relieved Laboy with Shadal Colon in the bottom of the fifth.

Japan got to Colon in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases on two walks and a single. Ramon Rodriguez took over for Colon and got Kazuhiro Ura on a pop to shortstop to end the threat.

Puerto Rico added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh on RBI singles by Edgardo Villegas and Luis Gonzalez.

Yuichiro Murakami homered off the fourth Puerto Rico's fourth pitcher, Luis Mercado, to put Japan on the scoreboard with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. It was Japan's third hit of the nine and it would be the last.

Mercado struck out Taishi Noguchi to end the game.

On Day 2 Japan will face the hosts and No. 24 China. Puerto Rico will play No. 15 Australia.