Curacao puts on a pitching and defensive clinic to upset Puerto Rico

[Noah Berger]

Final score: CW 2, PUR 0

In a win-or-go-home game Wednesday morning, Curacao held Puerto Rico scoreless in a semifinal-clinching victory.

MIAMI, FL—The Puerto Rican hitters had nothing against the Curacao pitching staff, going quiet at the worst time. And even when Puerto Rico came close to breaking through, the Curacao defense slammed the door firmly shut in their faces.

Curacao vs. Puerto Rico box score and play-by-play

Curacao needed only a single run to come out on top and advance to the semifinals. Puerto Rico gifted them a second run in the top of the ninth after throwing that ball all over the field. Puerto Rico committed three errors in the late innings of the game as it became apparent that their spot in the semifinals was quickly slipping away. Yadier Molina was forced to use eight pitchers in the game, making multiple pitching changes in the same inning on multiple occasions. 

Curacao starting pitcher Juan Carlos Sulbarán didn't allow a hit until the third inning and faced only one batter above the minimum in his five innings of work. Wendell Floranus and Shea Spitzbarth combined for just three hits and three strikeouts in three innings in relief, and with a 2-0 lead and a chance to send Curacao to their first semifinal berth in the history of their participation in the Caribbean Series, Anthony Herrera slammed the door with a five-pitch ninth inning.

Neither team recorded a hit with runners in scoring position, combining to go 0-for-12.

Curacao advances to the semifinals with a record of 3-3 and a tiebreaker over Puerto Rico. They will play a yet-to-be-decided opponent on Thursday. Puerto Rico heads home.

Time of game: 2 hours, 44 minutes

Attendance: 6,870

Notable Performances:

• The Curacao pitching staff: 0 BB
• Jurickson Profar (CW): 2-for-4, BB
• Jonathan Schoop (CW): 2-for-4, 2B
• Juremi Profar (CW): 2-for-3, RBI

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