Panama City. A 5 run bottom half of the second inning set the pace for Colombia (8-1) win over Nicaragua in their debut in the Panama City World Baseball Classic Qualifier. Center fielder Steve Brown and shortstop Edgar Renteria got to Nicaragua starter Erasmo Ramirez (Seattle Mariners) and second baseman Solano followed with a 2 run triple and scored himself on a bad relay by Garth.
Marimon went 5 innings for Colombia to record the win, allowing the only nica run of the game on a 2 out solo homer by third baseman Cuthbert in the fourth.
Colombia had a couple of solo shots too: third baseman Urshela (in the fourth) and Brown (in the eigth) took Nicaragua’s bullpen deep.
“Renteria came here to win” commented Colombia manager Eduardo Perez “”It’s exciting to have Edgar Renteria in a Colombia uniform. One of the biggest reasons Colombia is recognized for its baseball is because of Edgar Renteria.”
Colombia will now face Brasil at 2 pm US ET (8 pm CET) on Saturday 11/17 (the winner heads to the final), while Nicaragua will face an elimination game against the hosts Panama at 8 pm ET (2 am on Sunday 11/18 CET)
