Luis Miranda threw 5.1 shutout innings for Mexico against the Dominican Republic at the 2023 Pan American Games in Cerrillos, Chile. (Photo Courtesy WBSC Americas)
By Matthew Tallarini
World Baseball Network
Mexico shut out the Dominican Republic 1-0 in the second game for both teams in Group A play at the 2023 Pan American Games in Cerrillos, Chile, at Cerrillos Bicentennial Park.
Mexico improved to 2-0 during the pool round of the Pan American Games. The Dominican Republic is now 0-2 and will have to winning their final game of the pool round against host nation Chile on Monday, October 23, and hope that a Total Quality Balance tiebreaker scenario falls their way.
Starter Luis Miranda threw 82 pitches and 5.1 innings, allowing two hits, no earned runs, two walks, and striking out six before Mexico manager Jose Garcia called Zazueta out of the bullpen. Relief pitchers Samuel Zazueta and Jesus Cruz threw 1.2 innings for Mexico with three strikeouts during Saturday’s win.
Dominican Republic starting pitcher Gerson Garabito threw five innings, allowing three hits, one earned run, four walks, and striking out seven batters in the loss.
The first run of the game did not come until the bottom of the third inning when center fielder Randy Romero scored on a wild pitch during designated hitter Roberto Ramos’ at-bat.
Zazueta faced one batter, allowing a one-out infield single to Dominican Republic left fielder Irving Ortega. Garcia went to his bullpen once again and gave Cruz the ball for the final five outs of the game.
Cruz allowed two hits to begin the top of the seventh inning, starting with a lead-off double to center field by Dominican Republic first baseman Darlin German and then a single by designated hitter Xavier Bautista, giving the Dominican Republic offense runners on first and third with no outs.
Cruz then struck out the last three batters to end the game, miwing down Adrian Valerio, Hector Luna, and Kelvin Pena to close out the 1-0 win.
Mexico is 2-0 in the 2023 Pan American Games and looking for their first gold medal at the tournament. The last time Mexico medaled at the Pan American Games was during the 2007 event, when they shared the bronze medal with Nicaragua. Mexico has four bronze medals at the Pan American Games.
The Dominican Republic is now 0-2 and has not medaled at the Pan American Games since 1979 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, when they won silver, losing to Cuba in the gold medal game.
Mexico will play their final game of Group A in the pool round against No. 12 Panama at 8:30 a.m. in Cerrillos, Chile at Cerrillos Bicentennial Park on October 23. The Dominican Republic will play their final game of Group A against host nation Chile at 2 p.m. EDT on October 23.
Group B on Sunday October 22 will have two games with (1-0) No. 23 Brazil going up against (0-1) No. 15 Colombia at 8:30 a.m. EDT and (1-0) No. 8 Cuba playing (0-1) No. 6 Venezuela at 2 p.m. EDT. Both games will be held at Cerrillos Bicentennial Park in Cerrillos, Chile.
All Pan American Games will be live streamed for free on https://www.panamsportschannel.org/main.