Venezuela remains at the top of the standings in Group B of the U-23 Baseball World Cup, after its triumph against Puerto Rico, 7-2. The South American team’s record is now two wins with mo losses, tied with the Dominican Republic.
The first run of the game was scored by Puerto Rico at the bottom of the third inning, taking advantage of an error by Juan Yepez.
The Puerto Rican staff went scoreless for four innings, especially with starting lefthander Jonathan Bermudez, who threw 3 innings with no hits, 2 tickets and 3 strikeouts.
But in the top of the fifth took the lead on the scoreboard. Joel Diaz singled down the center of the field and then Carlos Machado bunted to advance the runner, but Puerto Rican catcher Gianpaul Gonzalez failed made a throwing error, leaving two runners in scoring position. Then Yoel Rojas put his team in front with a 2-RBI single to center field.
From there, the vinotinto squad scored in four consecutive episodes. In the sixth inning Anthony Concepción hit a monster homer to left field, while in his next attack Venezuela scored three runs, that put the game to safety. The South Americans filled the bases of runners, with a hit, an error and a walk, and Concepcion produced his second run of the game with a fielders choice. Then Juan Yepez produced one more run with a single, while the sixth and seventh runs (the latter already in the eighth inning) fell by defensive errors.
After winning its first two games, Venezuela will play this Sunday against the Czech Republic, at 20 hours. For its part, Puerto Rico will seek its first victory of the tournament against Korea, at 15 hs.
