Premier 12, First Round, Pool B: Venezuela – Mexico 4-6
Mexico 002 000 121 6 8 2 Venezuela 004 000 000 4 6 2
Mexico celebrated a comeback win over Venezuela in their first games at the Premier12 in Taiwan. On Tuesday afternoon at the first game at Taoyuan Stadium Mexico overcame a 2-4 deficit by scoring four unanswered runs in the last three frames. Venezuela led since a four-run rally in the bottom of the third, but wasn’t able to score in the other eight innings played.
It was Mexico, which opened the scoring in the third, when Kevin Medrano doubled home Juan Perez and then scored on a single by Lorenzo Torres. But it was a short-lived 2-0 lead, as Gregorio Petit tied the contest with a two-run single in the bottom half of the same frame. Juan Rivera put Venezuela ahead with the following RBI single. Francisco Caraballo made it even 4-2 with a sac fly.
The score remained the same for the next three innings until Mexico stepped up again. Brandon Macias cut the deficit to a single run with a sac fly in the seventh. One frame later Humberto Sosa hit a two-run double to get Mexico back in front. Another sac fly by Robert Lopez in the ninth provided some insurance.
Venezuela meanwhile brought the minimum to the plate between the fourth and the eighth with a single by Frank Diaz in the eighth their lone base runner. In the ninth Luis Jimenez led off with a single and tried to score with one out on Mario Martinez’ double, but got thrown out at the plate.
Former Major Leaguer Freddy Garcia started for Venezuela, issuing three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out five and left with a no-decision. Cesar Carillo got the start for Mexico and conceded three hits, four runs and four base on balls in 2 1/3 innings.
Mexico’s next task is going to be Japan on Wednesday evening at Tienmou Stadium. Venezuela takes on Team USA at Taoyuan in the afternoon.