United States come from behind to beat Mexico to stay in joint first place

United States come from behind to beat Mexico to stay in joint first place
17/09/2022
Starting pitchers had rough nights in Bradenton. Mexico had an early lead, but the US struck back using both the long and the short ball. Outfielders Maxwell Clark and Aidan Miller made key plays.

After suffering their first loss of the tournament to world No. 2 Chinese Taipei on Thursday, nine-time champions and world No. 5 United States made a rough start against Mexico, ranked fourth in the world, in search for a sixth win of the tournament to stay with Super Round leaders Korea (world No. 3) and the defending champions (TPE).

Starting pitcher Brandon Dickerson didn't have a lot of support from his defence and gave up an early lead. The US turned the tide using the small ball early and the long ball with a couple of doubles by Kevin McGonigle and Bryce Eldridge to turn the tide. Outfields Aidan Miller and Maxwell Clark prevented Mexico from scoring in the middle innings. Eldridge picked the save, pitching in the top of the seventh in the 7-5 win.

The turning point of the game was the bottom of the third. The US took the lead back using the long ball. McGonigle and Eldridge doubled in the bottom of the third. Third baseman Colt Emerson added a single up the middle and sent Juan Tirado to the showers.

Luis Ramirez, the third Mexican pitcher, didn't get support from his defence. Mexico failed to get a double play on a grounder to shortstop by Dylan Cupp and the US extended their lead to 7-3 on a throwing error.

Mexico attempted a comeback against Christian Rodriguez, the third US pitcher. The right-hander got out of the top of the fourth thanks to a perfect throw home by right fielder Miller. After catching a hard liner by Antonio Macias for the second out, Miller doubled up the runner throwing a strike home.

The US moved centre fielder Clark to the left in the top of the fifth and it proved a brilliant move. Clark ended the at bat with a sliding catch on a fly to shallow left field by Carlos Gutierrez, preventing two runs.

Eldridge pitched the top of the seventh and earned the save.

USA play world No. 1 Japan in their final Super Round game on Saturday while Mexico will take on Korea looking for their first win of the Super Round.