World Baseball Classic: Venezuela 9, Puerto Rico 6
With this victory, the Venezuelans grabbed a commanding advantage in Group D. Not only are they 2-0, but they have defeated both of their two most respected challengers, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Venezuela now can clinch advancement out of the group with one victory in their final two games. That could happen as early as Tuesday when they play winless Nicaragua in Miami.
The Venezuelans hit Puerto Rico with an early haymaker, scoring seven times before Puerto Rico got a second chance at hitting.
A game-opening error by Javier Baez on Jose Altuve’s grounder set the stage for Venezuela’s four-run first. Once the door was opened, Ronald Acuna walked, Salvador Perez singled Altuve home, and Anthony Santander homered everybody else across.
Altuve’s double opened the three-run second, which ended for Puerto Rico starter Jose Berrios one batter later when Luis Arraez singled. This time, it was Perez with the three-run home run.
Puerto Rico made a furtive run at getting back in the game with a four-run fifth aided and abetted by two walks issued by Andres Machado, but those four runs only brought Puerto Rico within 9-5.
Perez’ double and home run were two of his four hits, and he drove in five runs, scoring three times. It was part of a 12-hit Venezuela attack against Berrios and seven relievers.