Venezuela wins Super Round slugfest against Dominican Republic, improves to 3-1

Venezuela wins Super Round slugfest against Dominican Republic, improves to 3-1
05/08/2022
Juan Perez, Alex Rodriguez and Salomon Millan went deep for Venezuela. The Dominican Republic tried to come back with a grand slam by Miguel Grullon.

Venezuela outhit, 13-8, and outslugged, 3 homers to 1, the Dominican Republic and earned a 12-5 win that keeps Venezuela among the leaders in the Super Round of the VI WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup.

Left-hander Gerson Guzman and his defence were off a shaky start. Right-fielder Obed Guerrero dropped a fly by Venezuela's lead-off hitter Cesar Garcia, and Venezuela thrived on it.

Center fielder José Ramos doubled to make it 2-0. Catcher Daniel Perez also doubled and forced a call to the bullpen.

Before reliever Jorge Jimenez could get the final two outs of the frame, Venezuela expanded the lead to 5-0.

Venezuela's lefty, Angel Betancourt, also allowed a lead-off hit. He then walked the next batter. A hard grounder by second baseman Carlos Nieves went below the glove of third baseman Juan Perez, but Starlin De Los Santos became the first out as he tried to score from second.

Juan Perez led off the third with a home run to deep center field and extended the lead to 6-0. The Dominican Republic called Enmanuel Castro from the bullpen with the runners at the corners.

Alex Rodriguez welcomed Castro with a three-run homer to center that extended Venezuela's lead to 10-0.

Venezuela played with fire in the bottom of the third. Three sloppy plays, two at third and one at second base, gave the Dominican Republic led to a five-run rally that was capped off by a grand slam by center fielder Miguel Grullon.

Sebastian Figueroa took over for Betancourt and, despite five hits in three innings, he didn't allow another run to the Dominican Republic.

Salonon Millan hit the third Venezuelan home run of the afternoon off Starlin de Los Santos.

Venezuela (3-1) is in the race to claim a spot in the World Cup final. They will play the last game of their Super Round against the United States.

The Dominican Republic (1-3) will face Mexico (1-3). The winner will have a chance to play for bronze.