30/07/2019 1 Minute Read

Canizales shines, Mexico eliminates the three-time World Champions USA

The USA needed a win to avoid a tie with Venezuela. Mexico played superb defence behind heroic its starting pitcher, who also became the most productive hitter with two runs batted in

Mexico defeated, 2-1, and eliminated the three-time defending World Champions USA thanks to an extraordinary effort by starting pitcher Yustin Canizales. The righthander went the distance, throwing 87 pitches and helped himself batting in both runs.

Canizales turned the first offering by opposing starter Alexander Mercurius into a home run over the left-field fence. He then scored Edwin Villacencio from third with a single through the left side in the bottom of the third.

The third Mexican at-bat could have been a turning point of the game. The tricolores couldn’t make anything of runners at first and second and no out situation. Right fielder Uriel Torres failed to advance runners on a sacrifice bunt and third baseman Adrian Falcon hit into an inning-ending double play.

The USA got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth but stood the potential tying run at third.
Third baseman Lucas Tinajero led off with a single and advanced to second on a base hit by first baseman Josiah Hartshorn. Both runners advanced on a ground out and Mexico called its infielders in. That way, shortstop Villacencio was right in the perfect spot to throw out Tinajero at the home plate. After falling behind 3-0 in the count against shortstop Gustavo Melendez, Canizales balked in a run. He then recovered and got Melendez on strikes.

In the top of the second, Canizales got two quick outs. While he was approaching his pitch count limit, he hit right fielder Jack Ruckert. Canizales threw two quick strikes to pinch hitter Jayden Lo Re, then he balked again. With Ruckert representing the tying run, Lo Re worked a full count. He then hit a chopper to third and became the final out on the throw to first by Falcon.