Watch: Puerto Rico hits walk-off HR to mercy rule Venezuela

After finishing second in 2013, Puerto Rico opened its 2017 World Baseball Classic with a statement win.

Puerto Rico clubbed Venezuela 11-0 on Friday, finishing the game in just seven innings courtesy of the tournament's mercy rule.

Carrying a 5-0 lead into the seventh, Puerto Rico exploded for six runs in the inning and ended the game on a two-run, walk-off homer off the bat of first baseman T.J. Rivera.

Puerto Rico (1-0) will take on Mexico (0-1) on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. ET, while Venezuela (0-1) plays Italy (1-0) at 3:00 p.m. ET.

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)