Japan, Chinese Taipei and Mexico to the super round of the U-12 Baseball World Cup

Japan beat Chinese Taipei (7-5) thanks to a strong comeback and has now a chance to get to the second round as the number one seed in group A. They just need one more win against Brazil on Thursday 3 August early morning game. In that case, Chinese Taipei and Mexico would follow in this order. In the case of a Brazil win, Chinese Taipei would be first and Mexico second.



The game between the Asian powers had 2 faces. Chinese Taipei took the lead in the bottom of the first. thanks to usual suspect Pai Chen An (playing DH because of the double header; Chinese Taipei had beaten Mexico 10-0 earlier today), who hit an RBI single.
In the bottom half of the the third Chinese Taipei scored more. With 2 outs, second baseman Han Shuo Heng homered to left on the fourth pitch by starter Yamada. Japan moved Minamizawa from first to the mound and Sun Yi Lei, who took Pai spot in the line up, welcomed him with a base hit to left. He then stole second and scored on a deep double by Kuo Shu Wei.
Left fielder Liu Wei I scored the fourth run by Chinese Taipei in the fourth, when he singled and managed to steal second, third and home.
When it looked like they were beaten, Japan came back. In the top of the fifth, with one out, Kuo Shu Wei walked catcher Mori and right fielder Toi, then left for Chien Yu En. Yamaguchi turned the newcomer’s third pitch into a 3 run homer to right center.
In the top of the sixth Chien Yu En walked both shortstop Tokunaga and center fielder Okada. With one out, the ball went to Tseng Yi Wei. Mori welcomed the left hander with a base hit to right that loaded the bases. With Chinese Taipei infield in, Toi hit a blooper to tie the game. Chinese Taipei sent Yang Sheng Wei to the mound. The reliever got started with a wild pitch and then allowed a base hit to Yamaguchi to give Japan a 6-4 lead. On Minamizawa grounder, Chinese Taipei failed to turn a double play and Japan added a run.
Chinese Taipei did have their chance for a comeback in the bottom of the sixth. But after scoring on a blooper to left by Yang Sheng Wei, they lost a runner at home (second out) and Yamaguchi got a grounder from Chien Yu En for the third out.

Mexico had to win an extra inning thriller to clinch the super round

Mexico won (8-7) an extra inning thriller against a brave Brazil to earn a super round berth.
Brazil did not hesitate to bunt their runners over early in the game. They got one run out of it as pitcher Ota singled off starter Cordero.
Mexico took the lead in the bottom half of the inning as star center fielder Tirado homered to score also Macias from second.
They thought they didn’t need to look back, even if Cordero struggled and allowed 4 runs on 6 hits in 4 innings.They could use more power (solo homer by right fielder Saldana in the second) and took advantage of a defensive error in the third.
In the top of the sixth Brazil tied the game. They cut Mexico’s lead to one run and loaded the bases against reliever Fornue. Mexico gave the call to Gastelum in the pen. Pinch hitter Fanti hit a grounder to shortstop, but Morales overthrew and the tying run scored from third.
In the bottom of the inning Mexico had the winning run at third with one out, but first baseman Gallego hit into a double play.
Mexico won it in seventh inning tie break. With pinch runner Theodoro on first, second baseman Norimatsu on second and Juan Hernandez pitching for Mexico, Ota loaded the bases with a single for Brasil. Hernandez reacted with back to back strike outs to end the at bat.
In the bottom of the seventh, with first baseman Gallegos on first and second baseman Monjaras on second, pinch hitter Garza singled to end the game.