Venezuela beat the United States 5-3 in a back-and-forth game in the WBSC Premier12’s Group A at Coloso del Pacifico in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico on Monday in a game that might ultimately determine which team advances to the Super Round.
Mario Sanchez delivered the best start of Premier12 for Venezuela, going six innings and striking out 10, allowing just three hits and two earned runs as Venezuela improved to 2-1 in Group A play.
A sacrifice fly by Carlos Pérez to Venezuela a 1-0 lead in the third.
But the United States responded with a solo home run by Matt Shaw that made it 1-1. It was the third baseman’s his second home run of Premier 12.
MATT SHAW DOES IT AGAIN!!!!! ???????????????????????? #Premier12 pic.twitter.com/dorZmlwj27
— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) November 12, 2024
Venezuela clawed back in the bottom of the fourth inning with an RBI double to left field by Diego Castillo to take a 2-1 lead.
Shaw recorded his ninth RBI of the tournament with a sacrifice fly that scored Chandler Simpson in the sixth to tie the game at two apiece.
In the bottom of the sixth, Venezuela took control, scoring three runs to take a 5-2 lead, with Herlis Rodriguez and Angel Reyes recording RBI singles.
#Venezuela takes the lead! #Premier12 pic.twitter.com/SGaRvVKSXK
— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) November 12, 2024
Castillo helped a run home in the sixth, grounding into a fielder’s choice that scored Ramon Flores. United States catcher Willie MacIver tried to throw to second base, but with no one covering the bag, the throw went into the outfield, allowing Ramon Flores to score.
Nobody’s home and #Venezuela tacks on another and is threatening! #Premier12 pic.twitter.com/qadgYiqX1r
— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) November 12, 2024
Things got dicey for Venezuela in the ninth inning when Colby Thomas was walked with the bases loaded to cut the Venezuela lead to 5-3, but reliever Oddanier Mosqueda came on and struck out Drake Baldwin and Termarr Johnson to hold off the United States and get Venezuela their second win.
The United States will get a chance to bounce back on Tuesday, November 12 against Panama at Coloso del Pacifico in Tepic, with the first pitch scheduled for 9 p.m. E.T.
Venezuela will have a day off and then play Puerto Rico on Wednesday, November 13 in Guadalajara in Estadio Panamericano, with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. E.T.
All Premier12 games can be streamed on DAZN with a subscription.
Photo: Mario Sanchez delivers a pitch for Venezuela in a 5-3 win against the U.S. at Coloso del Pacifico in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico at the 2024 WBSC Premier12. Sanchez went six innings and struck out 10. (Photo Courtesy of WBSC)
