Caracas.- Venezuela achieved its first victory in the Americas Series this Friday by beating the DAOM club from Argentina with a score of 7 runs for 2 in a match played at the Simón Bolívar Monumental Stadium, in Caracas.
The Venezuelan representation in the tournament is in charge of Navegantes del Magallanes, which was reinforced with players from other LVBP squads. Given the results of the opening day, in which the Argentines defeated Curacao and the locals lost to Panama, manager César Izturis did not want to give rise to any more surprises.
With left-hander Adrián Almeida as starter, Venezuela did not give advantages to Argentina’s hitters and attacked their rivals’ pitching early to take a significant lead in the first innings. Thus they managed to put their balance in the competition at 1-1.
“I felt good because I have kept training hard and I am a competitor,” said starter Adrián Almeida, who took the win. “I had been working as a reliever, but I adjust quickly to any situation.”
Almeida, who pitched 5.0 scoreless innings with two walks and six strikeouts, will be ready to take the mound again after four days of rest: “As a starter or as a reliever, however I have to help the team. It’s what I always do.”
THE OFFENSIVE DID ITS JOB
Hernán Pérez, with a triple and three RBIs, was the great offensive figure this Friday. but Wilfredo Tovar also made his contribution, with two runs scored and one RBI.
“We are going one game at a time, to give our best,” said the third baseman. “I felt a little uncomfortable with the pitchers because I’m used to seeing harder pitches.”
Danyer Sanabria was one of the few good news that Argentina’s offense had, with an uncatchable in four shifts and a chartered run. None of manager Darío Martín’s batters were able to double in their visits to the plate. Yeferson López was the defeated pitcher.
WHAT’S COMING
Venezuela will play against the Cuban team late this Saturday, again at the Simón Bolívar Monumental Stadium and with Emilio Vargas as the starter. For its part, the Argentine squad will have a day off.
FROM THE GROUND
VENEZUELA
– Renato Núñez He claimed to be recovered from the physical discomfort that affected him in the LVBP final: “I feel good, the (left) knee is fine.”
– After the defeat on the opening day, the manager César Izturis changed the order of the lineup. moved to Hernan Perez in the second round, a Tucupita Marcano to the third and put Luis Sardinas as designated hitter. He also defined his rotation, with Emilio Vargas y Esmil Rogers for the next games.
– “We had a meeting with everyone yesterday, which was when we joined. We congratulated Magallanes for the title and also the Caribes players like (Never) Hallway, Hernan (Pérez) y (Antonio) Pinero“Izturis said. “Yesterday we couldn’t win, but it’s part of this. “There was no time to prepare anything and the tournament is too short.”
– Adrian Almeida He did not change his plan due to the difference in level of his rivals tonight: “I didn’t change anything, I do what I always did, no matter who I play against.”
ARGENTINA
– The manager Dario Martin He was not confident about the victory on the opening day: “We know that each rival we face here is superior due to their history in baseball and the game against Venezuela was perhaps the most complicated. Our idea was always to come and put on a show, so that they know that we can play baseball.”
IN NUMBERS
– 5 errors in two games add up to Argentina’s defense in the Americas Series.
– 8 hits, two of them extra-base hits (twice as many Luis Sardinas and triple Hernan Perez) connected the Venezuelan offensive, which left 9 runners in circulation.
– Argentina’s six hits were singles, and they went 0-for-5 with men in scoring position. 8 runners stayed on the pads.
