The World Baseball Classic returned this month after a six-year gap since the last iteration. And the event’s absence has robbed the baseball viewing world of unforgettable moments like the one that took place on Monday in the Dominican Republic’s 6–1 win over Nicaragua.
Though the final score does not indicate much in the way of dramatic conclusions, it wasn’t until the top of the ninth inning when the game’s most pivotal sequence unfolded. That’s when Nicaragua pitcher Duque Hebbert—who’s listed at 5'10" and 170 pounds—took the mound against the teeth of the D.R.’s lineup. And what transpired was a wholly unexpected result that drastically altered Hebbert’s future.
The 21-year-old started the inning by striking out Juan Soto on three pitches. He then fanned Julio Rodríguez, and after allowing a two-out double to Manny Machado, he capped the dazzling frame by striking out Rafael Devers.
