World Baseball Classic 2026 Scores, Reaction from Friday Pool Play Results Ahead of KO Bracket

1 Puerto Rico (1-0; +5 run differential)

Puerto Rico 5, Colombia 0

Seth Lugo and five others produced a shutout for Puerto Rico in its opener.

Lugo struck out three batters and gave up three hits in four frames. Puerto Rico’s bats came to life after Lugo’s final trip to the mound.

Eddie Rosario, Willi Castro, Heliot Ramos and Martin Maldonando all chipped in a RBI each during the five-run fifth.

Cuba benefited from three runs in the first three innings to take down Panama in the other game at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

Canada, the fifth team in Pool A, opens its group play against Colombia on Saturday, while Panama takes on Puerto Rico.