(Not) Perfect Game - Puerto Rico

 It's that wonderful time, again. The World Baseball Classic begins as it seems Japan looks to prove they're better than all the other countries. As the 2026 edition gets started, let's take a moment to look back to 2023 where something truly unique went down...

On March 13, 2023, round 1 (called the group stage this year) was continuing in Pool D as Israel faced off against Puerto Rico at LoanDepot Park (Home of the Miami Marlins). Advancement to Round 2 was still very much up in the air with Israel at 1-0 and Puerto Rico 1-1, but on this day Puerto Rico made a statement as their pitching staff combined to toss a "perfect game". Why wasn't it a proper perfect game? WBC rules got in the way in multiple ways.

Back in 2017, Marcus Stroman was playing for the United States as he took a no-hitter into the 8th inning during the finals against Puerto Rico. He was able to do that because the rules had fewer limitations on pitchers during the championship round. Round 1 rules were much more restrictive. The maximum pitch count for anyone was 65, afterwards the pitcher must leave the game.

So Jose De Leon begins the game, but even as well as he pitched, 65 pitches is too few for even a perfect game pitcher to go too deep, so Yacksel Rios entered to finish the 6th inning. Edwin Diaz picked up the 7th inning and Duane Underwood Jr took care of the 8th. There would be no 9th inning due to the mercy rule. In the bottom of the 8th, Puerto Rico had a 9-0 lead and scored a 10th run, triggering the mercy rule and ending the game before they could try for a final perfect inning. Official rules state a no-hitter of any sort needs to hit 9 innings to be considered legit. So while not official, the accomplishment made on this day still made for an amazing story.

Jose De Leon got the ball to start the game for Puerto Rico, and he was untouchable for 5.2 innings, striking out 10 and not allowing a single baserunner. However, after getting two outs in the 6th inning, his pitch count was at 64. Technically he could be allowed to try for 6 perfect innings. Yes, 65 was the limit, but you're also allowed to finish pitching to a batter when you reach your limit. However, even with a 9-0 lead and victory all but assured, PR went to the bullpen.

Rios was in for only one batter in the 6th, but he made it count as he struck out Israel's #9 hitter despite his incredible risky chart.

Edwin Diaz handled the 7th inning, but had no card because he didn't pitch in 2023 for the Bot to make a card with. He injured himself in the celebration in the win over Dominican Republic and was out for the entire regular season (look away, Mets fans!). There was a chance he could have come back late in the year, but the Met's were out of the pennant race and smartly didn't wanna risk reinjuring Diaz and decided to save him for the next year, ending any hope for a Showdown card to complete the perfect game collection.

The 8th and ultimately final inning pitched belonged to Underwood. No strikeouts, but expertly handled just the same.

The game may have featured 4 pitchers, but it still needed just one Catcher calling the game. Maldanado also scored the walk-off 10th run, triggering the mercy rule.

Hernandez features 3 different positions on his card, and all three were on display during the game He started in the outfield, then moved to 2nd Base, then Shortstop as the game progressed and new players rotated in. He had the walk-off single in the 8th inning. He also doubled in the 2nd inning that scored 2 other runs.

Lindor provided what may have been the knockout blow in the 5th inning when he tripled with the bases loaded to make it 9-0.

Israel didn't feature a lot of MLB talent on their roster. Still, about half their lineup on this day would log time in the majors in 2023, including Horwitz. The man went 0-2, with both outs being strikeouts. With the mercy rule ending the game in the 8th inning, Horwitz would be denied the chance to break up the perfect game as he was set to lead off the 9th inning.