The Pan Am/Baseball World Cup Qualifier in Puerto Rico resumed play at the third day of the second round on Sunday. Cuba and Team USA remain at the top of the standings after shutouts. Panama stunned Venezuela, while the Dominican Republic clinched a spot in the semi-finals besides Cuba and the US. Canada and Venezuela are in a race for the fourth spot.
Cuba defeated Puerto Rico 4-0 behind 6 2/3 strong innings of Freddy Alvarez, who allowed seven hits and three walks for the win. Alfredo Despaigne and Jose Abreu hit homeruns and combined to drive in three. Team USA also celebrated a 4-0 victory on Sunday, beating Canada. Mike Montgomery struck out eight in five scoreless frames, issuing just three hits and a pair of base on balls. Eric Hosmer and Mike Trout went deep.
Panama scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to erase a 1-3 deficit en route to a 5-3 victory over Venezuela. Concepcion Rodriguez drove in two for Panama. Carlos Quiroz went 3-for-3 with a triple, a run and a RBI. Yonathan Sivira had three hits for the Venezuelan team. Jose Constanza and Tony Batista combined for four RBI in a 7-1 win by the Dominican Republic against Nicaragua. Alberto Castillo had three hits in three at-bats, crossing the plate twice. Bartolo Colon went the distance for the win. He gave up one run on seven hits and a walk, striking out four.
Results, 2nd Round, Day 3:
Sunday, October 10:
Panama – Venezuela 5-3
Nicaragua – Dominican Republic 1-7
Canada – USA 0-4
Puerto Rico – Cuba 0-4
Complete results, box scores on BaseballdeCuba.com
Standings 2nd Round:
Group A:
- USA 6-0
- Dominican Republic 4-2
- Puerto Rico 2-4
- Panama 2-4
Group B:
- Cuba 5-1
- Venezuela 3-3
- Canada 2-4
- Nicaragua 0-6
Schedule:
Monday, October 11:
- 2pm Panama – Nicaragua
- 2pm Dominican Republic – Venezuela
- 7.30pm Puerto Rico – Canada
- 7.30pm USA – Cuba