Panama City. Panama avoided elimination while ousting Nicaragua with a 6-2 victory on Saturday evening at Rod Carew Stadium. Panama scored four quick runs in the first four innings to take an early lead en route to the win. On Sunday they will face Colombia for a chance for the final.
The scoring started early for the host. New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada got them ahead with a RBI double in the first. A sac bunt and a throwing error by Nicaragua’s starter Edgar Ramirez made it 2-0 in the second. In the fourth a sac fly by Jeffer Patino and another RBI double by Tejada extended the lead to four runs.
It took Nicaragua until the sixth inning to get on the board. Renato Morales hit a RBI double to end the shutout bid. One frame later an error by Panama’s third baseman Angel Chavez handed them a second run.
However this was all the team of manager Dennis Martinez would get and Panama closed out the win with insurance runs on RBI singles by Concepcion Rodriguez and Luis Castillo.
Gilberto Mendez received the win in relief of starter Eliecer Navarro who had issued six hits in 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Edgar Ramirez ended up with the loss, allowing four hits, four runs (3 ER) and three walks in 3 2/3 frames as well.
Results WBC Qualifier Panama City:
Thursday, November 15:
Panama 2 – Brazil 3
Friday, November 16:
Colombia 8 – Nicaragua 1
Saturday, November 17:
Brazil 7 – Colombia 1 (Brazil reaches final)
Panama 6 – Nicaragua 2 (Nicaragua eliminated)
Photo: Copyright World Baseball Classic, Inc.
