Panama 000 100 000 1 5 0 Colombia 000 001 01X 2 7 0
Colombia has defeated Panama 2-1 in the final of the World Baseball Classic Qualifier at Rod Carew Stadium in Panama City on Sunday evening. With the win Colombia has qualified for the 2017 World Baseball Classic for the first time in history. A solo home run by New York Mets prospect Dilson Herrera decided the outcome in the bottom of the eighth.
Panama had taken a 1-0 lead in the fourth on a RBI single by Carlos Quiroz, but Colombia tied the game through Reynaldo Rodriguez’ run in the sixth on a single by Adrian Sanchez. Carlos Diaz picked up the win, Horacio Acosta the save. Manny Corpas got charged with the loss.
Both teams had already met on the second game day on Friday with Colombia defeating Panama 6-3 en route to the finals. Panama then downed France 7-4 on Saturday to become the second finalist. Spain also competed in the WBCQ, but finished fourth with two losses in as many games. France finished in third.