Madero and Bonet combine a four-hitter as Puerto Rico outscore Australia
03/09/2023 1 Minute Read

Madero and Bonet combine a four-hitter as Puerto Rico outscore Australia

The starting time of Day 4 was adjusted to a 09:00 start due to Typhoon Haikui, but the first game at Taichung Intercontinental Stadium proceeded smoothly with Puerto Rico winning over Australia.

Puerto Rico’s starting pitcher Byron Madero and reliever Jarette Bonet struck out eight in total, leading Puerto Rico to a 6-0 win at the XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup.

World No. 13 Puerto Rico scored two runs in the bottom of the first on an error and Yeriel Pastrana’s sacrifice fly to right field, giving the team a 2-0 lead. The inning ended with back-to-back strikeouts by Australian pitcher Alistair Tanner.

In the bottom of the sixth, Adonys Velez hit a double to deep centre field, pushing Ediel Rivera to third, and then Rivera scored on a wild pitch, starting the rally. Puerto Rico loaded the bases on walks and then scored three more runs on Dicky Gonzalez’s sacrifice fly and Diego Garcia’s two-RBI single to left field, extending the lead to 6-0.

Pitchers deserve a lot of credit for Puerto Rico's win. Starter Byron Madero threw four innings, striking out three and allowing two hits and two walks, and reliever Jarrette Bonet threw three innings, striking out five and allowing two hits and one walk.

WBSC XXXI U-18 Baseball World Cup-Day 4 AUS v PUR

With two wins in hand, Puerto Rico tied Chinese Taipei at the top of Group A. They will play against No. 3 Mexico on Monday. World No. 9 Australia will face No. 4 Korea.