The US overcome Panama, earn second win

World No. 14 Panama scored first and took a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the fifth, but No. 2 United States went ahead on a clutch RBI single by third baseman Zaylon Johnson and scored a couple of insurance runs on balks to win their second game, 6-4, in the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup,

Back-to-back and one-out hits by shortstop Yuniesky Sanchez and catcher Alain Cruz gave Panama an early lead against left-hander Michael Ohman.

The United States used some aggressive running in the bottom of the first, setting up the tying run with a double steal. Leyland Henry brought the runner home from third with a sacrifice fly. Hustle did not pay when Tyler Early tried to score from third on a fly ball to left field and Isaac Achurra got it at the home plate.

Third baseman Zaylon Johnson gave the United States their first lead in the bottom of the second when he scored on a double by Ohman. Panama's starter allowed another run on a bases-loaded walk.

Panama stroke right back. Achurra hit a lead-off double, and Ohman issued a one-out walk. Both runners scored on a single to right field by center fielder Algis Palacios.

Early helped reliever Galvin Gomez get out of the fourth inning with Panama's go-ahead run in scoring position with a two-out diving catch on a blooper by Achurra, and USA scored the winning runs in the bottom of the fifth. Achurra stepped to the mound with runners at the corners and two outs. Johnson got to him with a tie-breaking base hit. Achurra then balked twice, allowing the USA two insurance runs.

Those runs weighed on the outcome. In the top of the sixth, USA missed the opportunity to close the game because of a two-out throwing error that allowed Panama a fourth run and put the tying runs in scoring position. Gomez struck out Sanchez to earn the win.

USA are now 2-0 and will face the Dominican Republic in a night game on Day 4. Panama, 0-2, need a win against New Zealand in the next day's opening game.