MIAMI -- Hobbled and humbled in the World Baseball Classic, Team USA is still swinging.
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Wright's hit with one out eliminated Puerto Rico from the tournament.
"That situation is what you dream about when you're a kid," he said.
The Americans advanced to the next round at Dodger Stadium. It was an especially sweet victory after an embarrassment Saturday against Puerto Rico that triggered the mercy rule when the Americans fell 10 runs behind, ending the game in the seventh inning.
"Getting a crack at a team that embarrassed us a few days earlier, to have the resiliency to bounce back in the ninth and steal one from them was pretty big," Wright said.
This time the teams played a full nine, and the Americans saved their best for last in the 3-hour, 54-minute drama.
"They kept on the heat, and they didn't give up," Puerto Rican manager Jose Oquendo said.
Trailing 5-3, Team USA began its rally when
"We just had to string them together, and we were able to do that," Rollins said.
Wright then lined a 2-1 pitch just inside the right-field line, raising his fist when the ball dropped in. The New York Mets star called the hit the biggest of his career.
"You're talking about representing the United States of America," he said. "You've got that across the front of your chest. To be able to get that hit, that's got to be right up there at the top of the list."
Wright was mobbed by teammates near second base after two runs scored.
"You're celebrating a game," Youkilis said. "You're celebrating a nation."
The rally came after the Americans stranded seven runners in scoring position in the first eight innings.
The WBC has some marketing to do, as the modest crowd Tuesday of 13,224 showed, and the tournament's version of the Yankees provided a boost by making the final four for the first time.
"We're taking this very seriously," Wright said. "This isn't an exhibition to us."
Team USA will play Venezuela in Miami's final game of round two Wednesday night to determine seedings for the semifinals.
The Americans will advance despite a recent wave of injuries that has sidelined infielders
"We were practically on the plane to Los Angeles," Delgado said. "When you have an opportunity like this to bring a championship to Puerto Rico, it's frustrating and emotional. But that's baseball."
Lilly gave up only two hits, but both were home runs, and he departed after 3 1/3 innings with the score 3-3.
Puerto Rican starter
Nifty baserunning by Wright put Team USA on the scoreboard in the second. He singled, stole second and took third on a single by
Victorino followed with a two-out RBI single to put the Americans ahead 2-1. Youkilis was 3-for-19 in the tournament before he homered with two outs in the third, but Lilly failed to hold a 3-1 lead.
