Yael Romero’s 4 RBI powers Mexico past Australia

Yael Romero tallied four RBI in the game and led world No. 4 Mexico to victory in their WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup opener against Australia, 9-5. The Mexican starter Manuel Rodriguez had a quality start to get the win.

Mexico rallied for three runs in the top of the first, with a perfectly executed hit-and-run to plate Carlos Gutierrez from first base, an RBI single by Yael Romero and a grounder by Alberto Barriga.

Manuel Rodriguez pitched four quality innings for Mexico, allowing three hits and one run. The right hander struck out four, against two walks.

Mexico scored four runs in the fourth with five hits, including back to back RBI doubles by Rosman Verdugo and Yael Romero, who combined for five RBI in the game.

An RBI single by Nick Bertucci put Australia, ranked 10th in the world, on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth, but Mexico responded with one in the sixth on a bases-loaded walk.

The Mexican bullpen imploded in the bottom of the sixth issuing six walks and four runs. However, with the game 8-5 in the last inning, Mexico added one with Romero’s fourth RBI of the game on a grounder.  

The losing pitcher for Australia was Callum Wallace.

Mexico will face world No. 1 Japan at 19:00 (local time) while Australia is scheduled to play world No. 13 Panama.