VII WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup: Venezuela win slugfest against Japan, earn bronze medal

World No. 6 Venezuela beat No. 1 Japan, 9-8, in a slugfest to earn the VII WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup bronze medal.

After finishing second last year, Venezuela stepped on the podium again at the VII WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup at the end of a thrilling bronze-medal game against Japan.

"We came here ready to play," commented manager Rafael Herde. "We knew Japan was an excellent team. They have more power than last year's team, but our players are mentally tough."

Venezuela finished with a 3-2 record and did not advance to the final because the United States prevailed via Team Quality Balance.

"Of course, we were all disappointed for not making the final. We spoke to the players and ensured they understood how important a bronze medal is for our country."

Herde credited Alexandro Ladera and Ezequiel Zamora.

"Ladera and Zamora played great games, but I would also mention Josè Castillo. He was inches short of a home run in the third before grounding into a double play. It was a truly emotional moment when he homered in the fifth."

Alexandro Ladera went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs and played smooth defence at second base.

"I know everybody looks at the home runs, but defensive plays prevent runs, and I think keeping us ahead changed the game," Ladera added.

"I feel proud for helping my country to a bronze medal, I will keep working hard to make my baseball dream come true."

Venezuela-Japan 9-8

The live blog as it happened.

Japanese left-handed starter Sosuke Mizuno found himself down 2-0 after only two pitches. Third baseman Angel Rodon singled and second baseman Alexandro Ladera followed with a home run.

After putting Venezuela ahead, Ladera made a stand also at second base.

Third baseman Ren Mitsui led off Japan's second at-bat with a double off Willy Rodriguez. Left fielder Arata Suzuki hit a two-out double in the gap to left-centre to put Japan on the scoreboard.

Centre fielder Otsuka Kotaro and leadoff hitter Daito Funayama also got to Rodriguez with a single and a double, and Japan took a 3-2 lead.

Xavier Cafrè, the last man in the Venezuelan batting order, tripled to lead off the third. He scored on a single to centre by Rondon to tie the game at three. Ladera followed with a base hit that ended Mizuno's game.

Japan handed the ball to right-hander Mei Oguri with no one out and runners at first and second. Rodriguez hit a hard comebacker just off Oguri's glove to load the bases. Catcher Josè Castillo hit into a double play, but Rondon scored Venezuela's go-ahead run from third as catcher Yosuke Koma didn't tag him at home.

Mitsui closed the inning with a spectacular diving catch and a perfect throw to first on a hard chopper by centre fielder Dennis Quintero.

Japan took the lead back in the bottom of the third. Rodriguez issued a leadoff walk, and Mitsui reached on a one-out single. Designated hitter Renji Tachibana was all over the fourth pitch and drove it beyond the left-field wall for a three-run homer.

Rodriguez allowed back-to-back singles to Arata Suzuki and Kotaro Otsuka and left for Ezequiel Zamora. After loading the bases, the reliever got out of the inning on a groundout.

Rodriguez, now playing centre field, reached on a base hit with two outs in the top of the fifth. Catcher Josè Castillo was all over Oguri's first offering and drove it over the wall in left-centre for a game-tying two-run homer.

Venezuela took the lead in the top of the sixth. With Ezequiel Zamora at first and two outs, Cafè singled to bring him to third. Zamora scored on a base hit by Angel Rondon. With runners at second and third, Yabuuchi could not handle a line drive to right field by Ladera, and two runs scored, extending the lead to 9-6.

Japan made it a one-run game in the bottom of the sixth. Yabuuchi reached on a one-out single, and Matsui drove Zamora's first pitch well beyond the fence in dead centre.

Kengo Wada became the potential tying run as he singled, forcing Venezuela to hand the ball to Ender Acosta.

The reliever struck out the side to end the game.

• On Day 9: defending World Champions USA slug their way to another final.
• On Day 8: Chinese Yaipei qualify for the World Championship game
• On Day 7: Chinese Taipei stay undefeated, huge wins for USA and Japan.
• The Super Round schedule.
• Look at the statistical analysis after the Opening Round.
• On Day 6: Dominican Republic, Japan, USA and Korea join Chinese Taipei and Venezuela in Super Round.
• On Day 5: Chinese Taipei remains the only undefeated team
• On Day 4: Venezuela dominated Japan, and the Dominican Republic outslug the United States.
• The WBSC had a chance to interview Francys Sandoval, the Venezuelan Princess of Baseball.
• On Day 3: Chinese Taipei, Venezuela, USA and Korea stay undefeated.
• On Day 2: Chinese Taipei walked off Japan, and Venezuela's Willy Hernandez threw a no-hitter.
• All Day 1 games were postponed because of bad weather.

More on the VII U-12 Baseball World Cup official web page.