Lugo and Díaz pitch shutout ball for Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic win

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Seth Lugo made a successful return to the World Baseball Classic on Friday.

Lugo helped Puerto Rico to a 5-0 win over Colombia in their Group A opener. The right-hander pitched four-plus innings of three-hit ball at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

“That was awesome. Every inning you could feel the fans,” Lugo said. “Go out there and get the W. It was really special for me, something I won’t forget.”

Edwin Díaz worked the ninth for Puerto Rico. Tito Polo led off with a pinch-hit single and advanced on a passed ball before Díaz struck out the side.

The 31-year-old Díaz missed the 2023 MLB season after he hurt his right knee while celebrating a Puerto Rico victory in the World Baseball Classic.

“Unbelievable moment for us to see Sugar coming in from the bullpen and to hear the crowd, not only for him but for his family to be here and that moment for him,” Puerto Rico manager Yadier Molina said. “I’m excited for him.”

The 36-year-old Lugo also played for Puerto Rico in the 2017 WBC. He went 2-1 with a 4.20 ERA in three starts, striking out 12 in 15 innings.

The Louisiana native started the 2017 final against the United States. He surrendered four runs and five hits in four-plus innings in an 8-0 loss.

Facing Colombia in this year's edition of the international competition, Lugo breezed through the first inning before running into trouble in the second.

Colombia put runners on second and third with one out. But Lugo escaped the jam when he retired Carlos Martínez on a flyball to left and struck out Brayan Buelvas swinging.

He surrendered two one-out singles in the fourth before Martínez bounced into an inning-ending double play.

Lugo was replaced by Rico Garcia after issuing a leadoff walk to Buelvas in the fifth. The Kansas City Royals pitcher got a warm ovation from the crowd of 18,793 as he walked off the mound.

“Yeah, that was really cool. I got goosebumps,” Lugo said. “I get goosebumps now thinking about it. You come off, and the fans are chanting your name. That doesn’t happen all the time. That’s really, really special.”

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Puerto Rico pitcher Edwin Diaz reacts at the end of a World Baseball Classic game against Colombia in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Friday, March 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Puerto Rico's pitcher Seth Lugo pitches in the first inning against Colombia during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Friday, March 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Puerto Rico pitcher Edwin Diaz reacts at the end of the ninth inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Colombia in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Friday, March 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Puerto Rico's pitcher Seth Lugo pitches in the first inning against Colombia during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Friday, March 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

HOUSTON (AP) — Manny Ramirez hit plenty of home runs in his 19-year major league career — 555, to be exact.

On Friday night at Daikin Park, the 12-time All-Star relished watching someone else go yard when his son Lucas Ramirez hit a leadoff homer for Brazil against the United States in the World Baseball Classic.

Like father, like son.

The 20-year-old sent Logan Webb’s second pitch into the seats in right field to cut the Americans' lead to 2-1 after Aaron Judge hit a two-run shot in the top of the inning.

“I was looking forward for him to do something special,” Manny Ramirez told The Associated Press. “So, he’s been working so hard all year round and I’m proud of him.”

Lucas Ramirez is playing for Brazil because his mother, Juliana Ramirez, was born and raised in Sao Paulo. She was at the ballpark Friday night and beamed after her son’s big hit.

The younger Ramirez was a 17th-round pick of the Los Angeles Angels in the 2024 draft and he spent last season playing in class A, batting .266 with three homers, 30 RBIs and six stolen bases.

He also played for Brazil in the 2026 WBC qualifiers and went 5 for 13.

Manny Ramirez, a two-time World Series champion and the 2004 World Series MVP, would have been thrilled to see his son homer against any team, but it made it more special for him to do it against one of the top teams in the tournament.

“Oh yeah, they’re No. 1,” he said.

And he thinks the big hit will give his son a boost for the upcoming season.

“It’s going to be more special for him because that’s going to give him — he’s going to be ready for the season,” Ramirez said. “I hope he’s going to do good.”

Lucas Ramirez is wearing the No. 24 his father donned for most of his career in the WBC. And Manny Ramirez is thrilled to see his son succeed.

“I’m proud of him,” he said. “Thank God for this opportunity that he has.”

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Brazil's Lucas Ramirez, right, celebrates with Osvaldo Carvalho after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game against the United States, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Brazil's Lucas Ramirez, right, celebrates with Osvaldo Carvalho after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game against the United States, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Brazil's Lucas Ramirez runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)