05/09/2023 1 Minute Read

Panama beat Spain to record second win

The go-ahead runs were scored in the top of the sixth. Panama will head to the Placement Round with a 2-0 record, while winless Spain will start from 0-2.

World No. 11 Panama earned their second win in the XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, defeating Spain 3-1. Panama scored the winning runs in the top of the sixth. Dereck Gomez went the distance, allowing only two hits and earning the win.

Panama had the first scoring chance early. With one out, left fielder Yeremy Sanchez got to Spain starter Kelvin Rodriguez with a double along the right field line. Sanchez advanced to third on a flyout.

Rodriguez allowed balk-to-back walks to lead off the third. Runners advanced on an error. Yeremi Sanchez gave Panama the lead with a sacrifice fly to left field.

Catcher Ayrton Mcintosh reached on an error to lead off the bottom of the third. He advanced on a sacrifice bunt and reached third on a groundout.

Panama starter Dereck Gomez walked Pablo Costales, who stole second. With runners at second and third, left fielder Vinicio Lara singled to left field to tie the game. Costales tried to score from second and became the third out at home.

Panama stranded two runners in scoring position in the top of the fifth, then took the lead in the top of the sixth. Julio Casas led off with a single, and centre fielder Edwin Walden brought him home with an RBI double to left field.

Spain handed the ball to reliever Diego Sanmiguel. Dimas Oda bunted Walden to third, and Panama added a run on pinch hitter Carlos Bethancourt's sacrifice fly.

Panama finished Group B with a 2-3 record and will start the Placement Round from 2-0. Winless Spain will start with a 0-2 record.