Johan Hernandez does it all, Cuba beats Venezuela

Cuba came from behind to beat Venezuela, 5-4, at the end of a very exciting game that ended on a bases-loaded walk-off walk earned by Cuba’s starting pitcher Johan Rodriguez.
Venezuela used the long ball to take an early lead an tie the game in the fifth. The U-12 Baseball World Cup Home Run King Leonel Dominguez hit a couple.

Johan Rodriguez went the distance and had quite a few ups and downs. He allowed three home runs but didn’t walk a batter and completed the task with 74 pitches, 52 of them strikes.

Johan Rodriguez went the distance for Cuba

Venezuela got to Johan Rodriguez in the first. Third baseman Jean Blanco reached on a one-out double and scored on Leonel Dominguez first home run of the day. The designated hitter will add one in the top of the sixth to keep Venezuela in the game. First baseman Johan Fernandez hit the third home run of the game for Venezuela in the top of the fourth.

The home run by Johan Fernandez meant a new lead for Venezuela.
Cuba had tied the game in the bottom of the second, taking advantage of a couple of walks allowed by Venezuela’s starter Eyden Salas and an error. Yeison Acosta batted in two runs with a double to the gap in right centre.

Cuba couldn’t score another run in their second at-bat despite having runners at third and second and no out but took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Shortstop Alejandro Cruz doubled and third baseman Alejandro Prieto singled to make it a 4-3 game.

With the game tied at four, Venezuela sent to the mound Sander Trujillo. The reliever allowed back to back walks and left for Christopher Alvarado. Boris Sarduy failed to advance the runners on a sacrifice bunt and then reached on a fielder’s choice. With runners at the corners, Venezuela intentionally walked catcher Danyer Prieto. The plan initially worked, since Venezuela got the second out at home on a grounder to third by Ferran. Alvarado then walked Johan Rodriguez on five pitches and allowed Cuba to score the winning run.