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Ranking 5 amazing plays from Netherlands-Puerto Rico

Gary A. Vasquez / USA TODAY Sports

This game had it all.

The semifinal matchup between Puerto Rico and the Netherlands exceeded expectations and gave us another classic from a tournament that continues to defy detractors with every game.

With weeks' worth of signature moments crammed into one game, here are the five best plays from Puerto Rico's 4-3 extra innings win:

5. Rosario's game-winner

With the bases loaded in the 11th inning and 7-foot-1 pitcher Loek Van Mil barring down on him, Eddie Rosario smacked a sacrifice fly into center field to score Carlos Correa.

Although the play appeared standard and mundane in the boxscore, it created a frenzy after Correa slid into home, sending Puerto Rico to its second consecutive WBC final.

4. Baez goes swimming

Javier Baez still has some magic left over from the World Series. The Puerto Rico second baseman managed to avoid the tag from Xander Bogaerts in the bottom of the fourth to steal third base.

3. Molina nabs Profar napping

Yadier Molina's baseball IQ remains elite. Always looking to make a play, Molina caught Jurickson Profar napping at first base after the Dutch center fielder collected a single. Molina fired a throw to first to record the out as Profar was celebrating his hit off the bag.

2. Balentien busts out bat flip

Wladimir Balentien took control of the tournament lead in home runs with his two-run blast in the first inning off Jorge Lopez. What's more, Balentien provided an epic bat flip after connecting that would even make Jose Bautista tip his cap.

1. Puerto Rican relay

A wonderfully executed relay prevented the Netherlands from taking a 4-3 lead in the fifth inning. With runners on first and second with two outs, Shawn Zarraga hit an RBI double to left field to allow one run to score. Angel Pagan corralled the ball and threw to Baez, who then fired to Molina at home to nail Jonathan Schoop to prevent the Dutch from scoring the go-ahead run.

(Videos courtesy: MLB.com)

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