Venezuela earn first win in rainy game against Spain

World No. 6 Venezuela won their first game in the XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, defeating Spain 6-1. Rain and a strong wind proved a factor. The game started with a 10-minute delay and was interrupted several times because of the weather. Spain took a 1-1 tie into the bottom of the sixth before Venezuela could break the score open.

Spain had the first scoring opportunity. Shortstop Anderson Pena singled, centre fielder Pablo Costales dropped a bunt to the mound and beat the throw to first, and left fielder Vinicio Lara reached on a throwing error. Venezuela's starter, Ulises Reyes, retired the side to end the inning.

Right-hander Elia Geronimo walked Carlos Garces to lead off the bottom of the first. The second baseman advanced on consecutive wild pitches and scored when left-handed first baseman Danny Soto hit a two-out opposite-field single.

Venezuela missed a scoring chance in the bottom of the fifth. Geronimo allowed two walks and left for Angelo Rodriguez. The reliever got the second out on strikes and used some help from Lara on Elainiker Coronado's liner.

Lara led off the top of the sixth with a double down the left-field line. The game was delayed by strong wind and hard rain right after.

As the game resumed, Reyes walked Figueredo. Venezuela handed the ball to reliever Sebastian Sanchez.

The right-hander walked the bases loaded, then got the first out on strikes. The tying run scored on a slow roller to the right by second baseman Javier Miranda as Venezuela couldn't complete the double play.

Soto led off the bottom half of the frame with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Coronado singled to centre field and earned Venezuela's lead back. Venezuela loaded the bases before one more rain delay.

Pablo Costales moved from centre field to the mound as the game resumed. The left-hander got the second out, then allowed a two-RBI single to designated hitter Gabriel Davadillo. Soto made it 5-1 with another single, and Venezuela added a sixth run on a wild pitch.

Venezuela put runners on second and third in the top of the fifth. With one out, reliever Maximo Gonzalez got Vinicio Lara to pop to left field for the second out. Hector Cabrera tried to score from third, but Breyson Guedez got him at the plate, completing a game-ending double play.