PUEBLA — Team Netherlands is set to challenge Venezuela tonight in Puebla, Mexico, as it begins its pursuit of the sixth and final spot in the Tokyo Olympics baseball tournament. The Dutch will likely play three games in as many days, and potentially a fourth in four days should they advance to the final on Saturday, June 26.
Venezuela lost the qualifying event’s opening match-up yesterday 10-7 at the hands of the Dominican Republic. The favored Venezuelans, with a roster that includes seven players with MLB experience, led twice in the game but surrendered five runs and back-to-back-to-back home runs in the seventh inning to seal their fate.
The Dominicans now have a clear path to Saturday’s final should they be able to defeat the Dutch on Thursday.
First pitch tonight at the Estadio de Béisbol Hermanos Serdán, home of Mexican Baseball League’s Pericos de Puebla, is at 23:00 (CEST).