A ten-run victory secured Venezuela’s fourth win at the U23 Baseball World Cup, teleSUR reported.
Venezuela defeated Cuba 10-0 in five innings at the Estadio Roberto Clemente in Masaya, according to teleSUR. The South American squad scored once in the first inning before breaking the game open with a seven-run rally in the second frame. Two additional runs in the third inning finalized the mercy-rule margin. The World Baseball Softball Confederation U23 Baseball World Cup contest saw the Venezuelan baseball selection reaffirm its power.
Second baseman Lewis Castillo hit a grand slam to the opposite field. Castillo finished the game going 3-2 with two runs scored and five RBIs out of the third spot in the batting order, as teleSUR reported. The Venezuelan offense totaled eight hits, led by Castillo’s offense and solid pitching.
Starting pitcher Alejandro Hidalgo threw two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three batters, according to teleSUR. Relief pitcher Davidxon Lara earned the win after throwing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Albert Rivas pitched the fifth inning to close out the game. Cuba managed only two hits in the contest.
Venezuela improved its record to 4-0 in the tournament. The team has outscored opponents 37-0 through four games, securing three victories via the mercy rule against South Africa, Great Britain, and Cuba. Three of its four triumphs ended before regulation time due to the run differential, while South Korea avoided a run-loss against Venezuela, falling 7-0.
Venezuela faces Japan on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. local time at the Estadio Roberto Clemente. Both teams enter the final group-stage matchup with secured spots in the next round, with Tuesday’s winner claiming the top seed in Group B. Japan enters the clash as the reigning monarch of the category, while the group phase concludes tomorrow Tuesday with this clash of powerhouses.
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