Panama City. The World Baseball Classic Qualifier at Rod Carew Stadium in Panama City started with a big upset. Led by Hall of Fame manager Barry Larkin Brazil defeated Panama 3-2, scoring the tie-breaking run in the fifth inning.
Two-time World Baseball Classic participant Panama now has to try to avoid elimination on Saturday, facing the loser of Friday’s matchup between Colombia and Nicaragua. Brazil meanwhile already made the first step towards qualification for the main event.
Panama struck first on Thursday evening, when Ruben Rivera crossed the plate in the bottom of the second on a single by Jose Macias. The advantage was short-lived, as Brazil countered shortly after in the top of the third.
Leonardo Reginatto tied the game with a RBI single to center. Three batters later he came around to score on an error by first baseman Carlos Lee.
While their MLB experience didn’t help in the top of the frame, Panama used its star power in the bottom half, as Carlos Ruiz of the Philadelphia Phillies evened the score with a sacrifice fly, plating Isaias Velasquez.
The outcome was decided in the top of the fifth. Reginatto and Brazil’s Major Leaguer Yan Gomez opened the frame with a leadoff walk and a single. They moved up one base thanks to the sac bunt by Reinaldo Sato.
After Daniel Matsumoto struck out for the second out, JC Muniz stepped to the plate and came through with a groundball single to center fielder Ruben Rivera. Reginatto scored the third and eventually decisive run, while Gomez was thrown out at the plate on the throw.
Panama had its best comeback chance in the bottom of the eighth, with Carlos Ruiz and Carlos Lee coming through with one-out singles. But a pair of force outs ended the threat.
Noris Chacon ended up with the win, while fellow reliever Murilo Gouvea received most of the praise after 3 1/3 innings of scoreless two-hit relief. Ernesto Silva was charged with the loss. Ramiro Mendoza and Manuel Corpas also threw for Panama.
Multiple World Series winner Mariano Rivera (with New York Yankees, currently free agent) opened the WBC Qualifier by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. The Panama native is currently rehabbing a knee injury.
Colombia is going to face Nicaragua in the second game of the World Baseball Classic Qualifier in Panama City at 8pm local time on Friday evening.
Results WBC Qualifier Panama City:
Thursday, November 15:
Panama 2 – Brazil 3
Photo: Copyright World Baseball Classic, Inc.
