After Puerto Rico was defeated by the Netherlands in the Premier12 yesterday, they faced Venezuela in what would be a must-win game for Puerto Rico in Guadalajara. They sent Luis Cruz to the mound, facing Max Castillo for Venezuela. Venezuela would come back to defeat Puerto Rico 5-2.
Castillo would load the bases in the first inning, leading to Carlos Cortes driving home the first run of the game on a fielder’s choice to get Puerto Rico ahead early, 1-0. After loading the bases again, they would add on in the second inning, and Javier Vaz reached on a fielding error, as Edgardo Villegas scored to give Puerto Rico a 2-0 lead.
Venezuela answered in the bottom half of the second, as Carlos E. Perez lined a single into left field to score Ramon Flores for Venezuela to trail by one. Two batters later, Hernan Perez hit a soft ground ball back to the mound, and a play couldn’t be made for Venezuela to tie the game. They would take the lead after a wild pitch, which allowed Perez to score and go ahead 3-2.
Carlos E. Perez stayed hot at the plate in the fourth inning, hitting a towering home run to left field to add to Venezuela’s lead, 4-2. Hernan Perez would join the party, adding a solo home run in the seventh to increase their lead to 5-2.
Venezuela’s bullpen was impressive after Castillo departed after an inning and a third. Liarvis Breto, Jose Alvarez, and Nivaldo Rodriguez would combine for four strikeouts without allowing a run. Oddainer Mosqueda pitched two and two-thirds innings, striking out six batters. Enderson Franco would enter to record the final out and the save to secure Venezuela’s third win of Premier12, 5-2.
Venezuela will host the Netherlands tomorrow at 2 PM EST at Estadio Panamericano in Guadalajara. Puerto Rico will face Panama tomorrow at 9 PM EST at Coloso del Pacifico in Tepic.
