Diaz, Gordon, Muñoz homer as Puerto Rico defeats Brazil; Cuba tops Venezuela

Diaz, Gordon, Muñoz homer as Puerto Rico defeats Brazil; Cuba tops Venezuela
01/09/2019

Back to back homers by Quianna Diaz and Carsyn Gordon in the top of the first inning propelled Puerto Rico’s offense to a five-inning, 7-0 victory over Brazil in the second day of the Super Round. Cuba earned today its first win of the Super Round with a 2-1 win over Venezuela.

Back to back homers by Quianna Diaz and Carsyn Gordon in the top of the first inning propelled Puerto Rico’s offense to a five-inning, 7-0 victory over Brazil in the second day of the Super Round.

Puerto Rico used the long ball very early in the game to take the lead. In the top of the first Quianna Diaz sent the second pitch of the game to the right-field bleachers for a leadoff home run. Two pitches later, Carsyn Gordon belted a line-drive home run to center field to make it 2-0 before the first out of the game had been recorded when Livia Nakayama had thrown only four pitches.

One inning later Puerto Rico exploded with five more runs, including a 2-run homer by Yahelis Muñoz and a 2-RBI double by Diaz.

Meghan King recorded the five-inning shutout, with 6 strikeouts and 2 hits, for her first win of the tournament.

Tomorrow Puerto Rico close the WBSC Americas Qualifier against Venezuela at 1:00 p.m., while Brazil will take on Canada at 3:30 p.m.

Cuba tops Venezuela

Cuba earned today its first win of the Super Round with a 2-1 win over Venezuela. The South American team outhit Cuba 9-4,

Venezuela scored its only run of the game in the top of the first inning. Elia Infante doubled and Maria Soto singled to open the game, leaving runners in the corner, but Denisse Fuenmayor hit into double play, allowing Infante to score from third.

Cuba tied the game in the bottom half of that same episode. Elizabeth Robert led off with a double to left field and advanced with a sacrifice bunt by Diamela Puentes. Finally crossed the center fielder crossed the plate on a grounder to shortstop by Yarianna Lopez.

The game-winning run was scored in the second inning, Leannelys Zayas hit a single, advanced to second on a grounder and reached third on a grounder to the pitcher. Finally, Aleanna de Armas bunted and Mirian Jimenez tried to assist to home plate, but the throw was wrong and Zayas scored easily. This would be the last run of the game.

In the top of the sixth Venezuela loaded the bases with one out, but couldn’t tie the game. Lopez replaced Tornes in the circle and retired the next two innings, on a grounder to second (to force the runner at home plate) and a fly ball to second base.