World Baseball Classic Pool D: Dominican Republic – Panama 9-0
PAN 000 000 000 0 6 2 DOM 003 201 03X 9 8 0
The Dominican team stayed alive in the World Baseball Classic with an all-around solid effort in a 9-0 shutout against Panama, which has to go home due to the loss. In San Juan, Puerto Rico they took a 3-0 lead in the third and continued to add runs to the board to win easily. Their pitching and defense was flawless, the offense connected and profited of some mistakes by the Panamanian squad. The Dominican Republic will face the loser of the Netherlands-Puerto Rico game on Tuesday.
Catcher Miguel Olivo had the most impressive day at the plate. He hit two homeruns to drive in five of the nine runs. Nelson Cruz went two-for-four with a solo shot and two runs scored. Robinson Cano also reached home twice. Panama’s leadoff hitter Luis Durango had two more hits and was hit by a pitch in three plate appearances.
Johnny Cueto (W 1-0) of the Cincinnati Reds showed off his talent with 4 2/3 good innings, allowing three hits and a walk, striking out five. Relievers Julian Tavarez, Rafael Perez, Tony Pena and Pedro Viola gave up just three more hits in the reminder of the game.
Ramiro Mendoza (L 0-1) started for Panama and lasted four innings on the mound, giving up four hits, five runs (2 ER) and a base on balls. Manuel Corpas and Yeliar Castro couldn’t stop the opposing offense either.