(Press Release; WBSC AMERICAS
BASEBOL).- The teams of Mexico and Panama made their first two games
of the tournament count, with two wins in a row they guarantee their ticket to
the next round and they will play on the last day against each other for first
place .
The Mexican team was the first
to beat its rival, relying on its pitchers to blank the Dominican Republic and
beat them 1 to 0.
Luis Fernando Miranda was the MVP
of the game, leading the way by throwing 5.1 innings of two hits, two walks and
six strikeouts. But the relief of Jesús Cruz was also stellar, in 1.2 innings
pitched he allowed no runs, with two hits and striking out three.
Randy Romero went 0-for-3, but
managed to score the difference run in the game.
Meanwhile, Panama also used
its pitching to beat host Chile 6-0. Luis Antonio Ramos pitched four scoreless
innings, allowing one hit, with five strikeouts and two walks to take the win.
While three other relievers combined to allow one walk with four strikeouts.
Luis Castillo was the most
outstanding offensively, going 4-for-4 with two runs scored, while Erasmo
Caballero also had two hits in four at-bats, with an RBI and a run scored.
Group A has Panama and Mexico
tied with a 2-0 record and they will play for the lead of the group when they
face each other, while the Dominican Republic and Chile face each other with a
0-2 record and something has to give.
(Media Department; Guillermo Yáber Llanos)