New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz hurts knee as Puerto Rico beats Dominica in World Baseball Classic

Miami — New York Mets star closer Edwin Diaz injured his right knee Wednesday night as he celebrated a win that advanced Puerto Rico and eliminated the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

Diaz was wheeled off the field shortly after pitching a perfect ninth inning to close out Puerto Rico’s 5–2 victory over the Dominican Republic.

The Mets later tweeted that Diaz injured his knee and will undergo further tests on Thursday.

The Puerto Rican players were jumping together in the infield when Diaz fell to the ground. Diaz quickly reached for his right leg. Diaz was in tears and didn’t put any weight on his leg.

Diaz’s brother, Cincinnati pitcher Alexis Diaz, was also crying when Edwin was taken away. Mets teammate and Puerto Rican shortstop Francisco Lindor stood nearby with his hand on his head.

Cristian Vazquez hit a four-run homer in the third inning as Puerto Rico advanced to the WBC quarterfinals to face the Pool C winners in Miami on Saturday.

This is the second time the Dominican Republic has failed to make it past the first round (2009).

After Vazquez’s solo home run, starters Johnny Cueto, Vimael Machin, Martín Maldonado, Francisco Lindor and Quique Hernández hit four consecutive singles to make it 3–0. MJ Melendez then grounded out on a play Lindor could score.

Cueto took the loss and was released before the end of the third round after allowing four hits, three runs and two strikeouts.

Juan Soto hit a home run in center field (448 feet) off Puerto Rico reliever Giovani Moran, his second home run of the tournament, and a 4-1 win.

Soto finished the tournament 6-15 with 3 doubles and 3 RBIs.

Puerto Rico dominated the pool round by beating Israel in a perfect 10-0 victory on Monday night.

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