US flexes muscles, earns home team advantage in U-12 World Championship game against Venezuela

It was not an afternoon for pitchers at Asia Pacific International Stadium. The United States used ten hits, including four home runs, to beat Venezuela, 12-7, and gain home team advantage in Sunday's WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup Final. Venezuela responded with three home runs.

Venezuela starter José Lobo was down 2-0 after six pitches. It took three for Jonah Saken to drive a lead-off home run beyond the left-field fence. It took three more to see a home run by Anthony Frausto. Before the first inning was over, Dylan Marcado added a third homer.

Venezuela fought back against USA starter Hibiki Suzuki and tied the game in the third on a three-run homer by third baseman Ayverson Torrealba.

Lobo's game ended in the bottom of the third when James Stout hit a two-out and two-RBI single to give the US a new lead, 6-4.

Major Ciers took over for Suzuki in the top of the fourth. First baseman Daniel Perez worked the count full, then homered on the sixth pitch to cut the gap to one.

It was the closest Venezuela would get. The US offence quickly got to new pitcher Jesus Chirinos with an RBI double by right fielder Trent O'Malley and an RBI single by center fielder Anthony Ramon Carlin.

Perez and USA third baseman Jordan Leon added one homer each.

Venezuela and the United States will meet again in Sunday's World Championship game, with the US as the home team.