World Baseball Classic: Venezuela 4, Nicaragua 1
In Miami, Venezuela ran its Group D record to 3-0. When the Dominican Republic defeated Israel Tuesday evening, it guaranteed Venezuela a quarterfinal spot, since the worst they can finish is 3-1, tying the winner of Wednesday’s game between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
Having defeated both those teams, Venezuela would emerge from Group D with the top seed by virtue of the tie-breaker.
Of course if Venezuela beats Israel Wednesday, all of that will be academic since it will give Venezuela a perfect 4-0 record and clear claim to the group championship.
Nicaragua took a quick lead in the second thanks to three base hits and an infield ground out. However, in the fourth, a pair of walks set up Guardians infielder Andres Gimenez, who singled Ronald Acuña home. The next hitter, Eugenio Suarez, also singled, scoring Anthony Santander and Gimenez and giving Venezuela a 3-1 advantage.
Santander’s fifth inning double brought home Venezuela’s fourth and final run.
It may not have been an offensive explosion; indeed Nicaragua out-hit Venezuela 11-7. But those four runs were all six Venezuela pitchers needed. They stranded eight Nicaragua baserunners thanks in large part to a dozen strikeouts.
Nicaragua completes group play with a record of 0-4, having been outscored 22-4 and having failed to post more than a single run in any of its games.