Taipei City. The second day of the II 12U Baseball World Cup saw Brazil erasing a deficit against Mexico, handing one of the favorites a surprise loss. In the other five games on Friday the usual suspects picked up the wins. Japan, USA, Korea, Venezuela and Chinese Taipei all improved to 2-0 in the tournament.
Two of them will lose their perfect slate on Saturday. Two anticipated matchups highlight day three. In the afternoon a good crowd is expected for the clash between Chinese Taipei and Japan at Tien-Mou Stadium. Afterwards Korea will take on Venezuela in the same venue.
Additionally Italy plays against the Philippines. Russia meets Panama, which has showed strong potential so far, but remains empty-handed. The contests between Czech Republic and Brazil, as well as Hong Kong and Pakistan will round up the schedule.
Philippines 0 – Japan 15
Japan celebrated its second 15-0 shutout in the tournament, defeating the Philippines by that score at Shing-Sheng Stadium on Friday morning. Taiyo Ueda struck out eight in four scoreless two-hit innings. Yuki Ishii drove in four.
Pakistan 0 – USA 20
Team USA improved to 2-0 with a 20-0 win over Pakistan at Youth Park in the morning. 15 players scored at least once for the team of manager Dave Webb. Pitchers Evan Godwin and Kevin Martin kept Pakistan off the board, but not off the bases, as four Pakistani worked walks in the game.
Mexico 7 – Brazil 10
Brazil stunned Mexico with a late comeback, winning 10-7 in the morning game at Tien-Mou Stadium. They scored six runs in the top of the sixth to erase a 4-7 deficit. A RBI fielder’s choice on a fly ball into shallow right field led to the go-ahead run. Brazil also celebrated the first home run of the tournament when Eric Taniguchi connected on a pitch by Victor Moreno.
Panama 0 – Korea 2
In the afternoon game at Tien-Mou Stadium Korea prevailed 2-0 in a defensive oriented duel against Panama. Two runs in the second and third were enough, as Seong Min Kim pitched a gem, issuing three hits and two walks in six scoreless innings.
Venezuela 17 – Russia 0
Venezuela was nearly perfect in a 17-0 shutout over Russia with the only blemish being a hit batter in the top of the fourth. Bernie Reyes collected eight strikeouts in four no-hit, no-walk innings. Ricardo van Grieken had three hits and four runs for Venezuela.
Czech Republic 0 – Chinese Taipei 16
In the evening game at Tien-Mou Stadium, Chinese Taipei continued to stay on path towards their title defending mission. Against the Czech Republic the winner from 2011 beat the Czech Republic 16-0. Three pitchers combined in a three-hitter. Chun-Hao Ma drove in five to spark the offense.
Schedule
Saturday, July 20, 2013
10:00 Italy – Philippines (Youth Park)
10:00 Russia – Panama (Shing-Sheng)
10:00 Czech Republic – Brazil (Tien-Mou)
14:00 Hong Kong – Pakistan (Youth Park)
14:00 Chinese Taipei – Japan (Tien-Mou)
18:30 Korea – Venezuela (Tien-Mou)
(local times Taipei City)
