Carlos Correa's hot streak in the World Baseball Classic continued Sunday afternoon against Team Italy, with the shortstop belting a three-run home run in the fourth inning to give Team Puerto Rico a commanding four-run lead in an eventual 9-3 victory.
With the win, Puerto Rico (3-0) advanced to the second round in San Diego.
:: 2017 World Baseball Classic ::
Correa's home run, which was a towering shot over the bullpen in left field, marked his second of the Classic. He finished 1-for-2 with a pair of walks Sunday.
This came two nights after Correa helped Puerto Rico beat Venezuela, 11-0, going 1-for-4 with a solo home run and making some spectacular plays in the field.
"Well, the quality of the game, the talent, they are young athletes with a lot of energy," manager Edwin Rodriguez said. "Every one of them, one by one, the first, Carlos Correa, today against Italy, that three-run hit, Javier Baez the second night, and defensively, what we were expecting from them, every fan enjoyed it, definitely. I think this short three days here -- because they are fans of each other, as well. They got together, and they played together."
The World Baseball Classic runs through March 22. In the U.S., games air live exclusively in English on MLB Network and on an authenticated basis via MLBNetwork.com/watch, while ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN provide the exclusive Spanish-language coverage. MLB.TV Premium subscribers in the U.S. have access to watch every tournament game live on any of the streaming service's 400-plus supported devices. The tournament is being distributed internationally across all forms of television, internet, mobile and radio in territories excluding the U.S., Puerto Rico and Japan. Get tickets for games at Marlins Park, Tokyo Dome, Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Mexico, Petco Park, as well as the Championship Round at Dodger Stadium, while complete coverage -- including schedules, video, stats and gear -- is available at WorldBaseballClassic.com.