TAICHUNG CITY STADIUM. Venezuela completed a thrilling comeback successfully to defeat Mexico 6-5 at Taichung City Stadium on Sunday evening at the XXVI 18U Baseball World Cup. Venezuela closed the gap in the seventh and broke the tie one frame later with a big RBI double by Silfredo Teran.
Mexico had the better start into the game, taking the lead in the first and extending the gap to 5-1 midway through the fourth. After Venezuela shipped a run from the deficit in the bottom of the fourth, the score remained the same until the bottom of the seventh.
At this point the South American offense woke up and turned things upside down within four pitches. RBI doubles by Silfredo Teran and Anthony Concepcion made it 4-5. Jonitzo Carruyo’s RBI single tied the game. One frame later Teran struck again, converting a 3-0 pitch into a RBI double to put Venezuela ahead for the first time. Miguel Caigua pitched around an error in the ninth and closed it out.
Caigua’s performance in relief of Anthony Avendano and Jesus Torres was crucial for the outcome of the game. He issued just a walk in 5 2/3 otherwise near-perfect innings, while striking out five. Eduardo Osuna took the loss for Mexico.
On Monday Mexico will have a quick turnaround, squaring off with Japan in the morning at Dou-Liou and then taking on the Czech Republic in the evening at Taichung City Stadium. Venezuela will clash with Canada at Taichung in the morning and face Japan at Dou-Liou in the evening.
