GUADALAJARA, Mexico – There will only be one
undefeated team in Group A at the 2019 Premier12 after tomorrow’s matchup
between no. 2 ranked USA (1-0) and no. 6 ranked Mexico (1-0).
Both Mexico and the US recorded dominant opening day wins in
Guadalajara yesterday, outscoring their opponents by a combined 15-1.
Former first-round MLB draft pick Tanner Houck will toe the
rubber for the US against Mexico. The 23-year-old got his first taste of Triple-A
baseball in 2019, and is Boston’s
fifth ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
Houck will match-up with 39-year-old Horacio Ramirez, who
has starred for Tijuana in the 2019 Mexican League, compiling a 4-0 record and
a 2.60 ERA in 32 appearances.
The US opened the 2019 Premier12 with a bang, blasting four
home runs as they claimed a 9-0 win against no. 8 ranked Netherlands.
Drew Waters, Jo Adell and Brent Rooker all went deep for
Team USA, as did Bobby Dalbec – who nailed the first grand slam of the Premier12.
Consistent offence from the US was backed up by stellar
pitching, as Cody Ponce anchored a combined shut-out. Ponce – who has worked
strongly in his recent Arizona Fall League outings – allowed two hits in five
scoreless innings.
A heavily rain affected clash did not dampen the spirits of
a parochial home crowd, as Mexico defeated no. 12 ranked Dominican Republic 6-1
in the evening game.
Esteban Quiroz broke the game open in the third inning,
nailing a grand-slam off Dominican starting pitcher Enny Romero. The offence
kept coming for Mexico, as Efren Navarro and Matt Clark nailed back-to-back
homers in the sixth inning. Clark’s homer was the final act of the contest, as
rain forced an early conclusion.
First pitch is scheduled for 7pm local time at Estadio de Beisbol Charros de Jalisco in Guadalajara.
