World Baseball Classic Day 6: Dominican Upset, Venezuela Injured, Israel Undefeated
By Keaton Moore
Injuries Damper Venezuela’s Victory
What at first appeared to be Italy’s second walk-off victory was spoiled by Venezuela, who rallied to win 11-10 in ten innings.
With a two-run double in the third and home runs from Alex Liddi and Brandon Nimmo in the fourth, Italy bragged a 5-0 lead after four innings. Yet, after scoring two runs in the fifth, Alcides Escobar tied the game 5-5 with a two-run double in the seventh.
Venezuela watched Italy’s John Andreoli even the score 8-8 with an RBI single in the eighth. Even after the Salvador Perez put Venezuela ahead 10-8 in the top of the ninth, Gavin Cecchini singled in the game-tying run in the bottom of the ninth.
Although Venezuela ended the threat by tagging out the game-winning run, a home-plate collision sent Perez limping off the field. According to USA Today, Perez suffered a left knee injury and is unable to continue the WBC with Venezuela.
Likewise, Francisco Rodriquez appeared to be hurt on the play while relaying the ball to Perez. As it turned out, Rodriquez pulled his groin and his potential return to the tournament is questionable.
Jose Altuve hustled home on an RBI single from Martin Prado to score the game-winning run. Once Jose Castillo retired Italy in the bottom of the tenth, Venezuela improved to 1-1.
Childhood Friends Homer in Puerto Rico’s Romp of Mexico
Thanks to home runs from Francisco Lindor, who hit two, and Javier Baez, Puerto Rico moved one win closer to the second round with a 9-4 victory over the hometown Team Mexico.
Lindor gave Puerto Rico a 2-0 lead with his first home run of the night in the first inning. Although Brandon Laird knocked in a run for Mexico in the bottom of the first, Puerto Rico gradually added to their lead until they burst out in the ninth.
With his second home run in the seventh, Lindor put Puerto Rico ahead by just enough runs to outlast Mexico’s rally in the seventh. After Chris Roberson singled in a run, Efren Navarro scored on a fielding error and Alex Verdugo scored on a wild pitch, making the score 5-4.
Hoping to solidify their lead heading into the ninth, Baez smacked a three-run homer over the left field wall. Baez’s home run gave his team a 9-4 lead and plenty of insurance for Edwin Diaz to shut the door on Puerto Rico’s victory.