France 000 010 001 2 5 2 Panama 121 041 00X 9 10 2
Panama won their first game at the World Baseball Classic Qualifier at Rod Carew Stadium in Panama City with 9-2 against France. Four runs in the first three innings and four alone in the fifth decided the outcome quickly. Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz connected for two of the three Panama home runs. He drove in four runs.
France couldn’t do anything during the first three innings as Paolo Espino sat down all nine batters he faced. In the fifth Andy Paz scored through Frederic Hanvi’s double to end the shutout. In the ninth Rene Leveret crossed the plate for a second French run. Owen Ozanich conceded eight hits and seven runs (5 ER) in 4 2/3 innings to take the loss.
Jonathan Mottay and Lucas Serafin also pitched for France, which now will take on Spain on Friday afternoon in a loser-go-home game.