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Venezuela outhits the Netherlands to close Day 1 of the U-23 Baseball World Cup in Hermosillo

Venezuela outhits the Netherlands to close Day 1 of the U-23 Baseball World Cup in Hermosillo
24/09/2021
The line up included four multi-hit performers

Venezuela’s bats started early on Thursday night. They hardly let up.

Behind a 13-hit attack that included four multi-hit performers, world No. 10 Venezuela routed No. 8 the Netherlands 9-4 to wrap up the first day of Group B play in Hermosillo for the III WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup.

Venezuela plated three runs on six straight singles in the bottom of the first inning on Thursday, scratching across tallies thanks to constant base traffic against Netherlands starter Scott Prins. Romer Cuadrado, Juan Fernandez, and Anderson Melendez all notched RBI base hits to stake the home team to an early lead.

The Netherlands didn’t fold, though. In the top of the second, the world No. 8 responded by loading the bases with one out for catcher Dave Janssen, who powered a two-run double to right-center to cut Venezuela’s lead to one.

That was as close as the Netherlands would get. Venezuela broke the game open in the bottom of the second with four more runs, three coming on a mammoth homer to left field by first baseman Robert Perez. After the Netherlands plated a run in the fifth, Venezuela answered with two more on a wild pitch and an RBI single from Jean Mendoza.

In total, the top eight hitters in Venezuela’s lineup notched at least one hit while Jesus Lujano led the way with three.

Prins lasted just 1 1/3 innings, charged with six runs (five earned) on eight hits while taking the loss. Winkelman Ramirez entered in relief of Venezuela starter Nelson Hernandez – who departed after 1 1/3 innings due to apparent injury – and was credited with the win after not allowing a hit or run over 2 2/3.

Venezuela will play the night game at 19:30 on Friday against fellow 1-0 team Colombia while the Netherlands looks to rebound in its 15:00 start against 0-1 Korea.