Valenzuela RBI triple pushes Mexico past Colombia and into U-23 Baseball World Cup Super Round

On Day 4 of the U-23 Baseball World Cup 2018,  Mexico beat host nation Colombia, 7-6, after a four-hour game that required eleven pitchers. Roberto Valenzuela got the game-winning hit in the eighth as he smashed a triple off the wall in dead center to score pinch hitter Walter Higuera from second. Erick Casillas grabbed the win pitching two innings in relief.

Casillas entered the game with a runner on second and no one out in the eighth. He gave up a single to Bryan Perez and then walked the bases loaded. But he escaped the jam when he forced a check swing comebacker to the mound by Jhon Torres, who had fouled off six pitches on a full count, and struck out pinch hitter Jesus Posso.

In the bottom of the ninth, with a one run lead to protect, Casillas got two quick outs. Then he gave up a double to Milton Ramos, that became the potential tying run. He then got Juan Zabala on a fly to shallow center to end the game.

Looking back, the key moment for Mexico’s win was the top of the sixth inning. Trailing 2-1, Colombia had the potential go ahead runs on the bases when Rafael Ordaz took the mound and became the fourth pitcher of the inning for Mexico. Ordaz inherited a couple of runners, but escaped the jam striking out, both looking, Leandro Emiliani with a fastball inside and Alan Ramos with a slider on the outside corner.

Mexico extended the lead to 5-1, but Colombia had the strength to come back with a five-run seventh at bat, highlighted by a bases loaded double hit by third baseman Derwin Pomare off reliever Lenix Osuna.

Pomare’s extra base hit wasn’t enough to punch Mexico out. In the bottom half of the frame Mexico tied it in the most incredible way.  Julian Ornelas drew a walk, reached second on a wild pitch and stole third. Colombia’s reliever Hernando Chiquillo struck out the side, but the third strike on Orlando Pina went by catcher Zabala and Ornelas could score.

This awkward run set the floor for Valenzuela’s heroics and gave Mexico a win that represents a guarantee to play in the super round.