The World Baseball Classic drew more than 621,000 fans during the opening round according to USA Today baseball writer Bob Nightengale. That's an increase of 34 percent over the previous record, putting the every-four-years event on pace for 1 million fans.
Full stands or not, anyone who's stayed up to watch the games on MLB Network has been treated to bits of stellar baseball making up for the dim selection of spring training telecasts.
That continued Tuesday night. After Dominican Republic loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the first inning, Puerto Rico got out of the jam thanks to Twins outfielder Eddie Rosario. He made the putout in right, then threw a frozen-rope laser to Yadier Molina nailing Jean Segura at the plate. The Dominicans celebrated as if they won the whole thing, not just got out of the inning.
The World Baseball Classic official Twitter feed made a big deal about Yadi's tag. But check out this throw.
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![Vikings guard Dalton Risner, right, runs through drills with Doug Nester (72) during practice at TCO Performance Center in Eagan on Friday.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/RYZVIHV57NFAXCWPKOIV2PAWY4.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)