On Monday, Venezuela earned their second win of Premier12 with a victory over the United States. Venezuela’s starting pitcher, Mario Sanchez, put up the best performance thus far by any Premier12 pitcher so far and was a massive factor in the victory. He went 6.0 innings and struck out 10 United States batters. He also only gave up three hits leading to just two earned runs.
🇻🇪⚡️ A clutch performance by Mario Sanchez to become the Player of the Game in Venezuela's win against USA.#Premier12 pic.twitter.com/FVXbhikPRg
— Premier12 presented by RAXUS (@Premier12) November 12, 2024
Sanchez’s start was the best any pitcher has had thus far in Premier12 based on how deep he went into the game and the double-digit strikeouts he threw. This makes him the current leader out of all Premier12 pitching in innings pitched and strikeouts.
He is a veteran of the minor league baseball system in the United States. In 2012, he started his professional career by playing for the Washington Nationals affiliate in the Dominican Summer League.
Then, in 2017 and 2019, he played at the Double-A and Triple-A levels for the Reading Fightin Phils, Harrisburg Senators, and Fresno Grizzlies.
After a few more seasons in the minor leagues, including playing within the Minnesota Twins’ system, Sanchez tested his luck in the Venezuelan Winter League in 2022.
Later, he played in the KBO for the Kia Tigers in 2023. Most recently, Sanchez has been coming off a solid season in the Chinese Professional Baseball League with the Uni-President Lions.
In 159.1 innings, he finished with a 2.49 ERA and 167 strikeouts. His win-loss record in the season was 14-5. He led the CPBL in wins and strikeouts.
Chez and Venezuela’s next Premier12 game will be against Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Estadio Panamericano. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. E.T.
All Premier12 games can be streamed on DAZN with a subscription.
Mario Sanchez exits the game. (Photo Credit Radio America)
