Venezuela, Nicaragua and Puerto Rico duel for the last two spots in the World Cup

(Press Release; WBSC-AMERICAS).- México and Cuba have earned a spot in the U23 World Cup, while defending champs Venezuela, defending qualifier champs Nicaragua and Puerto Rico duel for the last two remaining spots.

Tuesday’s games revealed a lot, Nicaragua shutout Argentina 5-0 and will have the driver’s seat for tomorrow’s duel against Venezuela, as they now have a 3-1 record in the tournament.

Kevin Solis and Hebbert Duque (winner) combined for seven shutout innings, only four hits and four walks, plus twelve strikeouts. Cristhian Sandoval went 4-2 with two runs and José Hurtado hit 3-2 with an RBI.

Venezuela stayed in the hunt by beating Puerto Rico 6-3 and staying in the passenger’s seat for tomorrow’s decisive game against Nicaragua that could send the defending champs back to the World Cup.

Venezuela shows a 2-2 record and will be homeclub tomorrow against Nicaragua, a victory means they will hold the tiebreaker against Puerto Rico or Nicaragua in case they tie for the last two spots to the World Cup.

Venezuela rode on Wikleman Ramírez 6.1 innings of work, six hits and three runs, with three walks and six punch outs. José Guzmán got the save on six pitches in 0.2 innings pitched.

César Ortega hit 3-3 with two runs and two RBI´s, while José Pastrano went 4-1 with two knocked in.

Cuba took care of Guatemala by score 10-2 and bettered their record to 4-1, they will play for first place against México in the last game of the Opening Round, a duel between two classified teams.

Guatemala fell to 0-4 and Argentina to 0-5 so they will now play for their first wins and the honor in the last two days of the opening round.

(WBSC-AMERICAS; Direction of Media Relations)