05/11/2019 1 Minute Read

Japan rally late to defeat Venezuela in Group B opener

Japan have staged a late comeback to defeat Venezuela at Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium in their Premier12 opener.

World no. 1 Japan made a late comeback against a gallant no. 9 ranked Venezuela to record a 8-4 win in their 2019 WBSC Premier12 opener at Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium.

Venezuela held a two-run lead in the bottom of the eighth, but a six-run inning from Japan changed the game, as Venezuela surrendered two hits and seven walks.

After a dominant start by Felix Doubront (4IP, 1H, 0ER, 3K), the Venezuelan bullpen failed to finish the job, as the Japanese offence eventually pulled away.

鈴木誠也選手、4番の仕事！勝ち越しタイムリーヒット！#侍ジャパン #プレミア12

Venezuela 1-2 Japan #Premier12 @samuraijapan_pr @NPB pic.twitter.com/4Vf59RocNh
— WBSC ⚾ #Premier12 (@Premier12) November 5, 2019

Doubront and Japanese starting pitcher Shun Yamaguchi both surrendered baserunners in the first three innings, but neither side could capitalise on their offensive opportunities.

Venezuela showed plenty of fight in the middle innings, plating three runs after surrendering a lead to the world’s number one ranked team. Carlos Rivero doubled to score Balbino Fuenmayor to tie the game at two, while RBIs from Dixon Machado and Herlis Rodriguez gave Venezuela a two-run lead with three innings to play.

But the six-run eighth proved the difference, as star closer Yasuaki Yamasaki slammed the door and sealed Japan’s first win of the Premier12.