Dominican Republic beats Mexico, stays in race for U-12 bronze medal game

Dominican Republic beats Mexico, stays in race for U-12 bronze medal game
06/08/2022
After a bad start, pitcher Cesar Altagracia gave his team five solid innings and received support from the defence.

The Dominican Republic defeated Mexico, 9-2, and improved its record in the Super Round of the U-12 Baseball World Cup to 2-3.

After a shaky start, the Dominicans played solid defence behind starting pitcher Cesar Altagracia, who went five innings and allowed two runs.

Center fielder Miguel Mella batted in two runs. Marlon Polanco also had two RBIs and moved from third to the mound to get the final three outs.

In the first inning, Mexico's starter Ivan Suarez allowed a couple of walks and a wild pitch. He then balked to send Carlos Nieves home from third.

Shortstop Alfredo Magana got to Dominican starter Cesar Altagracia with a single to the left and tied the game at one in the bottom of the first. Back-to-back errors helped Mexico take the lead in the bottom of the second.

In the top of the third, the Dominican Republic got to reliever Jason Perez with singles by Altagracia and Miguel Grullon and reversed the lead.

The Dominicans added one run when Miguel Mella singled off Leonardo Cuevas, the third Mexican pitcher.

The Dominican Republic extended the lead in the top of the fifth thanks to base hits by shortstop Sterlin de Los Santos and left fielder Marlon Polanco.

The Dominican Republic added an insurance run on a base hit by catcher Miguel Collado in the sixth.

The Dominican Republic is now a front runner for a spot in the bronze medal game, but will have to wait th result of the night's game between Chinese Taipei and Korea.

Mexico's run in the VI U-12 Baseball World Cup is over.