SAN JUAN — Puerto Rico remained unbeaten in Group A of the 2026 World Baseball Classic after a dramatic 4–3 extra-inning victory over Panama on Saturday night at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, sealed by Darell Hernaiz’s walk-off home run in the 10th inning.
In front of a packed home crowd in San Juan, Puerto Rico twice rallied from deficits before Hernaiz ended the game with a towering solo shot to left field off Panamanian reliever Severino González. The win moves Puerto Rico to 2–0 in Group A, while Panama falls to 0–2 and faces elimination pressure in the tournament.
Darell Hernaiz Delivers Walk-Off Heroics
With the score tied 3–3 in the bottom of the 10th, Hernaiz stepped to the plate against González and attacked an early fastball. The Puerto Rican infielder drove the pitch deep to left field, sending the crowd at Hiram Bithorn Stadium into celebration as the ball cleared the wall.
The walk-off solo home run capped a two-run inning for Puerto Rico and completed the team’s second comeback of the night.
Hernaiz was mobbed at home plate by teammates as Puerto Rico secured one of the most dramatic finishes of the early 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Puerto Rico Forces Extras with Ninth-Inning Rally
Puerto Rico nearly saw the game slip away before its late comeback.
Trailing 2–1 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Puerto Rico loaded the bases with two outs against Panama closer Alberto Baldonado. With the pressure mounting, Willi Castro showed patience at the plate and worked a four-pitch bases-loaded walk, forcing home the tying run to make it 2–2.
The clutch plate appearance kept Puerto Rico alive and pushed the game into extra innings under the WBC’s runner-on-second rule.
Panama Briefly Retakes Lead in the 10th
Panama quickly reclaimed the lead in the top of the 10th inning.
Starting the frame with an automatic runner at second base, José Caballero delivered a go-ahead RBI single off Puerto Rico reliever José Espada, giving Panama a 3–2 advantage.
Panama appeared poised to extend the lead moments later when Leonardo Bernal singled to right field. Caballero attempted to score from second, but Puerto Rico right fielder Carlos Cortes fired a perfect throw to the plate, where Caballero was tagged out for the final out of the inning.
The defensive play proved pivotal, keeping Puerto Rico within one run.
Puerto Rico Responds Immediately
Puerto Rico wasted little time answering in the bottom half of the inning.
With the automatic runner at second, Cortes put the ball in play and grounded into a run-scoring double play, tying the game 3–3. Though it cost Puerto Rico an out, the play allowed the tying run to cross and set the stage for Hernaiz’s heroics moments later.
Panama Builds Early Lead
Panama controlled much of the middle portion of the game.
In the fifth inning, Panama broke a scoreless tie with consecutive RBI doubles. Veteran catcher Christian Bethancourt drove in the first run, and Luis Castillo followed with another double to give Panama a 2–0 lead.
The Panamanian offense consistently pressured Puerto Rico’s pitching staff, but struggled to deliver the decisive hit when opportunities appeared late in the game.
Nolan Arenado Contributes in Puerto Rico Debut
Veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado, representing Puerto Rico for the first time in the World Baseball Classic, helped ignite the comeback.
After previously playing for Team USA in 2017 and 2023, Arenado switched national teams in 2026 to represent Puerto Rico, honoring his mother’s heritage.
In the sixth inning, Arenado lifted a bases-loaded sacrifice fly against Panama pitcher Javy Guerra, trimming the deficit to 2–1 and putting Puerto Rico back within striking distance.
The veteran’s situational hitting proved crucial as Puerto Rico chipped away at Panama’s lead.
Puerto Rico Strengthens Position in Group A
With the victory, Puerto Rico improves to 2–0 in Group A of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, putting the host nation in strong position to advance to the knockout stage.
Panama, now 0–2, faces an uphill battle in the group standings and will likely need multiple wins in its remaining games to keep its tournament hopes alive.
For Puerto Rico, the night belonged to Darell Hernaiz, whose extra-inning blast delivered one of the tournament’s first signature moments — and sent the San Juan crowd home celebrating.