Mexico - Venezuela summary online: stats, scores and highlights | 2024 Premier12 Group A highlights
Venezuela shut Mexico down in group opener
Venezuela hand Mexico first loss in Premier12 group play
Everyone said that Venezuela were good. We knew that coming in. They are, after all, the number four ranked team in the world. So giving number two ranked team Mexico a run for their money was expected. But nobody expected the swift brutality of their offense, and certainly nobody expected Ricardo Pinto to shut Mexico down so completely.
The game got a little lively in the ninth inning, but really and truly this was Venezuela's night. They tagged Mexico for eight unanswered runs, being completely dominant through six innings. Mexico clwed back a pair of solo home runs in the late innings before stringing together their first bit of dangerous offense in the ninth, so the final 8-4 scoreline doesn't reflect the severity of the beating that they took.
In this Premier12 tournament, uniquely in baseball, run differential comes into play in the case of a tie breaker. So those four runs that Mexico scored were not enough to win the game, but they may have saved their bacon come the later stages of the tournament.
Now Venezuela will head into tomorrow's clash with Panama riding high, while Mexico will have to face a Puerto Rico who pulled off a coup of their own, taking down the USA 1-0 earlier in the day. It really is must-win territory for Mexico as only the top two teams advance from each group.
Another issue for Benji Gil is the bullpen. He had to go through a lot of pitchers tonight and with play every day, he will need to get five solid innings out of his starter tomorrow.
Yes this is only day one, but in these tournaments, things can slip through your fingers quickly. Mexico need to regroup and Venezuela need to stay the course.
GOODBYE!!!
That is going to do it for our live coverage of Mexico - Venezuela in Group A action. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!
We will be back soon for more action from the Premier12, but until then, good night and God bless!
Venezuela win!
Chris Carter the hitter now with two outs and runners on the corners. He takes ball one low. The next pitch is smashed to the deepest part of the field! The crowd is screaming, but it is not quite deep enough! Angel Reyes gets under it right at the wall and that is the ball game! Venezuela win!
Pitching change
Omar López strides out to the mound and that will be it for Hernandez. He will call upon Anthony Vizcaya to try and put this one to bed.
RBI single! Mexico scores!
Jose Rojas stands in at the plate and takes the first pitch in the dirt. Great job by Arcia to keep it in front of him. 1-0
The next pitch is lined into right field for a single and two runs score on the play! Mexico now trail by four but that is a great mental lift for Mexico!
walk
Andres Álvarez the hitter now representing Mexico's last hope. He works the count to 3-1 before Hernandez misses outside for ball four and Mexico now have the bases loaded.
K
Juan Pérez at the plate and Mexico are down to their last two outs. He works the count to 1-2 before chasing a nasty breaking ball that falls off the table for strike three.
K
Alan Trejo the hitter now with runners on the corners and nobody out. He works the count to 2-2 before chasing a slider low and away for strike three.
E4
Moore works the count full before the payoff delivery from Hernandez is blooped into shallow right center. Three players converge and it is dropped by Amarista! That is an error and Gaitán will hold up at third.
Pinch hitter
Logan Moore will hit for Alexis Wilson.
Bottom 9th
Alonso Gaitán leads off for Mexico and he pounds a shot to right field and over the head of Flores. Gaitán is in there with a leadoff double!
Pitching change
Arnaldo Hernandez will come on to see if he can slam the door shut on Mexico.
ꓘ
Jermaine Palacios the hitter now and he has two home runs already. Right now he has two outs and a runner on second.
He works the count to 2-2 before watching a called strike three.
Double to right center
Ramón Flores up now and he hits a bullet off of Thompson on the mound. It bounces into right center and Flores stretches it into a double!
6-3 play
Ángel Reyes the hitter and he rolls one to short. Trejo makes the throw to first and it is two out.
Top 9th
Carlos Pérez leads off and he lines one into left field. It looks like it may drop but Julián Ornelas charges it and dives and makes the catch! One away!
5-3 play
Phillip Evans up now and he chops a grounder to third. Palacios makes the long throw across the diamond in time! That is the end of the eighth but Mexico claw one more back on a massive Chris Carter home run, trailing 8-2.
K
Julián Ornelas up now and he swings at three nasty pitches for the second out.
Chris Carter Home Run! Mexico scores!
Chris Carter now and he jumps on the first pitch and there is no doubt! That is gone a long way and hits the lights! Mexico has two now!
Bottom 8th
Jose Rojas will lead things off for Mexico. He gets called out looking at strike three and he does not like that! One away
Pitching change
Venezuela will bring on lefty Oddanier Mosqueda to take over and shut this out.
F9 out
Adrianza works the count to 2-1 before lifting a soft fly ball to shallow right. Gaitan gets under it and that is a 1-2-3 inning for Mexico.
Pinch hitter
Ehire Adrianza will hit for Amarista.
L6 out
Diego Castillo the hitter now and lines a shot to short but Trejo is there. Two away.
Top 8th
Francisco Arcia leads off for Venezuela and he works the count to 2-1 before tapping a roller to second. Álvarez goes to first and we have one away.
Pitching change
Mexico will bring on Jacob Thompson to take over now.
1-3 play
Andres Álvarez up now and he hits one back to the mound. Franco knocks it down and goes to first to end the inning. Mexico claw one back and now trail 8-1 as we go to the eighth.
K
Juan Pérez the hitter now and he runs the count to 2-2 before getting all twisted up on a low breaking ball for strike three. Two out.
Trejo Home Run! Mexico scores!
Alan Trejo up now and he bangs a shot to right field and it is carrying! It is out of here! Mexico is on the board!
Bottom 7th
Alexis Wilson leads off against the new pitcher and he sees nothing but heat. Four pitches all 97-98 mph and goes down swinging.
Pitching change
Venezuela brings on Enderson Franco to take over on the mound.
K
The designated hitter David Rodríguez and he goes down swinging on three straight fastballs to end the inning. But Jermaine Palacios hits his second home run of the game to extend Venezuela's lead to 8-0!
L8 out
Herlis Rodríguez up to the plate and he lines one to center field but Pérez is right there and it is two outs.
Palacios Home Run! Venezuela scores!
Jermaine Palacios the hitter now and he cranks a shot to the deepest part of center field. It keeps going and going and IT IS GONE! What a shot!
Top 7th
Ramón Flores leads off and he pops a soft fly ball to left for out number one.
Pitching change
Edwin Fierro is now brought on by Mexico to take over on the mound.
K
Alonso Gaitán up now and he works the count to 2-2 before Zarraga whiffs him on a peach of a two seamer to end the inning.
single to center
Phillip Evans up now and he shoots one up the middle for a base hit.
K
Julián Ornelas the hitter now and he delivers pure gas, three fastballs that are blown right by Ornelas.
Bottom 6th
Chris Carter leads off for Mexico and he pops one up on the right side and Carlos Pérez gets under it for out number one.
Pitching change
Venezuela make a change on the mound and bring on Alfredo Zarraga to take over for Pinto who was stellar over five innings.
F7 out
Reyes lifts the next delivery to the deepest part of left center field but it is just shy of the wall. Ornelas gets under it and ends the inning but Venezuela tacks on three more and now lead 7-0!
Balk
Ángel Reyes faces the new pitcher, the third one of the inning for Mexico. On the 2-1 delivery Salas is called for a balk. Pérez is awarded third.
Pitching change
Benji Gil wastes no time and that is it for Jeff Ibarra. Noel Salas is called upon to take over.
RBI double! Venezuela score!
Carlos Pérez the hitter now with a runner on third and two out. He takes three balls before taking a strike.
Ibarra delivers a fastball and Pérez rips it to the gap in left center and off the wall! An RBI double!
Sac fly to center
Alexi Amarista will face the new pitcher with runners on second and third and one out. Ibarra gets out ahead in the count 0-2.
He just misses with a fastball. I thought that was a strike.
The 1-2 delivery to Amarista is lifted to deep center field. Pérez makes the catch but the runners tag up and Arcia scores from third.
Pitching change
Benji Gil comes out to the mound and relieves Miranda. He calls on Jeff Ibarra to get out of this spot.
Double to right
Diego Castillo the batter and he pounds a shot to right field! It is off the wall and Castillo is in there with a double! Arcia stops at third.
Venezuela scores!
Arcia's 2-2 is chopped to first and Rojas goes home with the throw and it is not in time! Venezuela scores and everyone is safe!
Wild pitch
Francisco Arcia the hitter now with one out and a runner on second. He fouls off five pitches and the count is 0-2.
Another foul ball. Six in a row.
Miranda delivers a ball low and the count is 1-2. Another one in the dirt and Rodríguez advances to third on the wild pitch!
single to center
David Rodríguez up now and he shoots one up the middle and into center field for a single. The ball is bobbled by Juan Pérez and Rodríguez takes second on the error.
Top 6th
Herlis Rodríguez leads off for Venezuela and he taps a soft roller up the middle. Trejo is there and goes to first for out number one.
F7 out
Jose Rojas the hitter now and he lifts a deep fly ball to left field but Reyes is under it on the warning track to end the inning. We go to six with Mexico still scoreless, trailing 4-0.
ꓘ
Álvarez works the count to 2-2 before Pinto paints the outside corner with a fastball for a called strike three.
Stolen base
Andres Álvarez up now and on the 0-2 delivery, Trejo takes off and there is no throw. Stolen base!
K
Juan Pérez the hitter now and Pinto struggles to find the zone, running the count to 2-2 before delivering a beautiful breaking ball that gets Pérez swinging for strike three.
Bottom 5th
Alan Trejo leads things off for Mexico as he takes one up and in. He thinks he was hit by the pitch, but the umpire disagrees and calls him back into the box.
The count runs to 3-1 before Pinto misses outside and Trejo draws the walk.
5-3 play
Jermaine Palacios up and he shatters his bat on a ground ball to third. Evans fields it and makes the long throw to first to end the inning.
But Venezuela tack on another run and lead now 4-0!
Double! Venezuela score!
Flores sets in for the payoff delivery and lifts a bloop into the corner in left field! It falls into that gap just between the third baseman and left fielder! Fair ball! Perez scores from second and Flroes has a double!
Wild Pitch
Ramon Flores the hitter and the 2-2 delivery from Miranda gets away from him and skips away from Wilson. Perez advances to second on the play.
K
Ángel Reyes up now and he runs the count to 2-2 before a peach of a backdoor breaking ball gets him swinging at strike three. Two down
Hit by pitch
Carlos Pérez the hitter now and the 0-1 pitch runs inside and catches Pérez on the elbow.
Top 5th
Alexi Amarista leads off for Venezuela and he runs the count to 2-2 before a perfect fastball from Miranda runs the top rail to get Amarista out looking. One away.
Alexis Wilson to the box and the bases are now loaded with two outs. Mexico is really knocking at the door.
Pinto delivers a breaking ball and Wilson rips a ground ball to third. Palacios fields it and steps on the bag to end the inning. We still have 3-0 Venezuela up after four.
Call Overturned!
On review, the call is overturned and Gaitan is safe! Mexico have the bases loaded!
challenge
Alonso Gaitán the hitter now and he check swings one to second base. The throw is barely in time!
Mexico challenges the call of out at first.
F8 out
Philip Evans comes to the plate with one out and runners at first and second. Evans represents the tying run for Mexico and there is some action in the Venezuela bullpen.
He lifts the 0-1 into shallow center field. Herlis Rodríguez kind of misjudges it, but recovers and makes a sprinting catch for the second out.
walk
Julián Ornelas the hitter now and he walks as well on five pitches. Pinto is struggling here.
walk
Chris Carter up to the plate now and he walks on four straight pitches.
Bottom 4th
Jose Rojas leads off for Mexico and he works the count to 2-2 before the pitch from Pinto gets Rojas swinging through a breaking ball up in the zone for the first out.
5-3 play
The count on Castillo runs full before Miranda's payoff delivery is hacked to third. Philip Evans makes the play and goes to first to end the inning.
1-3 pickoff!
Diego Castillo the hitter now and after working the count to 2-0, pitcher Luis Miranda picks over to first and he gets Arcia!
single to center
The catcher Francisco Arcia up now. He was hit by a pitch in his first at bat.
He works the count to 1-2 before chopping one up the middle for a single. Rodriguez advances to third on the play.
Infield hit
David Rodríguez the hitter now and he chops a very slow bouncer to third. The barehanded play by Evans pulls Rojas off the bag and Rodriguez is safe with an infield hit!
Top 4th
Herlis Rodríguez will lead things off for Venezuela and he lifts a lazy fly ball to left field for the first out.
4-3 play
Andres Álvarez the hitter now and he grounds a slow one to second but Amarista makes the play at first to end the inning. Venezuela get out of a bind, but Mexico threatened for the first time in the game.
single to right
Juan Pérez to the plate now and he rips a single to right center. Gaitan makes it to third on the play and Mexico have runners on the corners!
K
Alan Trejo the hitter now and he runs the count to 2-2 before going down swinging on a fastball. Two down.
L4 out
Alexis Wilson lines the first pitch to second and Amarista makes the nab! He tries to double up Gaitan at first but he is able to get back in time.
Bottom 3rd
Alonso Gaitán leads off for Mexico and he bloops a liner into left field! That falls in for the first base hit for Mexico!
ꓘ
Jermaine Palacios up to the plate and he runs the count full before the payoff delivery from Gomez gets him looking at a breaking ball for strike three. That is the first 1-2-3 inning for Mexico.
F5 out
Ramón Flores the hitter now and he fouls several over to the third base side before lifting one into foul territory by third and again Evans puts it away. Two gone.
Top 3rd
Ángel Reyes leads off for Venezuela and he lines one to third but Evans nabs it. L5 for the first out.
F7 out
Philip Evans the hitter now and he lifts a deep fly ball to left field, but Reyes is there to end the inning. Venezuela is up 3-0 after two complete innings.
5-3 play
Julián Ornelas up now and he grounds one to third base for Palacios. The throw to first gets the second out.
Bottom 2nd
Chris Carter leads off and gets three fastballs that he can never catch up to. Pinto retires his fourth batter in a row!
Carlos Pérez will face the new pitcher and he chops one to second base. It is deep enough that there is no chance at first, but Trejo catches Castillo napping as he rounds third and gets him into a rundown. He is tagged out to end the inning!
Pitching change
Benji Gil strides out to the mound and takes the ball from Bañuelos. César Gomez will be called upon to take over.
F5 play
Alexi Amarista jumps on the first pitch and hits it right on the screws, line drive to third but Philip Evans makes a great catch! Two down.
Double! Venezuela score!
Top of the order and Diego Castillo comes up with runners on first and second and only one out. Bañuelos is in a bind here and needs an out.
Castillo gets into a hole 0-2 before taking a ball. The 1-2 delivery from Bañuelos is ripped down the left field line and into the corner! Both base runners score! The throw to the plate actually hit Arcia in the back as Castillo is in there with a two run double!
Hit by pitch
Francisco Arcia the hitter now and he works the count full before Bañuelos' payoff delivery is up and in and hits him on the hand!
K
The designated hitter David Rodriguez stands in and he gets all tied up by breaking pitches and goes down swinging on a big looper up high in the zone.
walk
Center fielder Herlis Rodriguez the hitter now and he draws the walk on five pitches.
Top 2nd
Jermaine Palacios leads off for Venezuela and he he launches a shot to right field. It is deep and it is GONE! And Venezuela strike first with a solo home run!
F7 play
Jose Rojas jumps on the first pitch and drives it to the deepest part of the field, but left fielder Ángel Reyes gets to it and puts it away to end the inning. Mexico goes down in order.
6-3 play
Andres Álvarez the hitter now and he swings at the first two pitches before taking a ball, the first one of the night by Pinto. He takes another one before hitting a sharp one to short. Diego Castillo throws to first and it is two away.
K
Pérez watches a first pitch for a strike and fouls back the next one. He is quickly in a hole 0-2.
The thrid delivery from Pinto is a nasty curve ball that gets Pérez swinging . Three pitches and one is gone.
Bottom 1st
Ricardo Pinto takes the mound for Venezuela and he will face Juan Pérez at the top of the Mexican order.
5-3 play
Ramón Flores up now with two out and men on the corners. He runs the count to 2-2 before nubbing a grounder to third. Philip Evans goes to first to end the inning and Bañuelos gets out of a jam!
Sac fly
Ángel Reyes the hitter now with one out and men on first and second. He lifts a high fly ball to right field, just short of the track. Amarista tags on the play and takes third base.
The 3-1 pitch is hit deep into the hole at short. The long throw from Alan Trejo is not in time and Pérez has an infield hit!
Wild Pitch
Carlos Pérez up to the plate now and the 2-1 pitch from Bañuelos is in the dirt and gets back to the backstop. Amarista takes second on the play.
walk
Alexi Amarista the hitter now and he gets a walk on five pitches. That was a very disciplined at bat from the second baseman.
K
Castillo takes a called strike on the inside corner before Bañuelos misses with the next two. A fastball catches the outside edge and the count is full.
The payoff delivery from Bañuelos is fouled back. Castillo fouls back two more and the ninth pitch of the at bat gets Castillo swinging at strike three.
Top 1st
Bañuelos delivers a fastball to Diego Castillo for a ball.
And we are off!
PLAY BALL!
Mexico are on the field, Manny Bañuelos is on the mound. The fans are in on their feet and the umpires are ready as Diego Castillo will lead off for Venezuela.
Let's PLAY BALL!!!
ALMOST THERE!
Go get the chips and the drinks. Walk the dog and take out the trash. We are almost ready for the first pitch and you won't want to miss it.
Proud Mexican Randy Arozarena represents with the first pitch
LINEUPS
The Home Team
Mexico Batting Order
1. Juan Pérez CF
2. Andres Álvarez 2B
3. Jose Rojas 1B
4. Chris Carter DH
5. Julián Ornelas LF
6. Philip Evans 3B
7. Alonso Gaitán RF
8. Alexis Wilson C
9. Alan Trejo SS
Manager: Benjamin Gil
The Visitors
Venezuela Batting Order
1. Diego Castillo SS
2. Alexis Amarista 2B
3. Carlos Pérez 1B
4. Ángel Reyes LF
5. Ramón Flores RF
6. Jermaine Palacios 3B
7. Herlis Rodríguez CF
8. David Rodríguez DH
9. Francisco Arcia C
Manager: Omar López
STARTING PITCHERS CAREER STATS
MEXICO
Manny Bañuelos LHP
81 - 79
3.72 ERA
1356 K
1393.0 IP
1.39 WHIP
VENEZUELA
Ricardo PintoRHP
95 - 67
4.32 ERA
1049 K
1369.2 IP
2.05 WHIP
WELCOME!!!
Welcome to the Diario AS USA live commentary of opening day of the 2024 Premier12 as hosts Mexico take on Venezuela in Group A in the Estadio Panamericano de Guadalajara.
The stage is set for a high-stakes battle as Mexico and Venezuela square off in the Premier12 WBSC 2024 tournament opener in Guadalajara. The clash takes place at the Estadio Panamericano, home turf for the host team, and a venue known for its fervent baseball crowd. With Group A’s top spots at stake, both squads understand the importance of this early showdown.
On the mound, Mexico turns to veteran lefty Manny Bañuelos. With past stints in Major League Baseball, including time with the Yankees and White Sox, Bañuelos brings experience and a deft touch to the game. He will need every bit of his skill against a formidable Venezuelan lineup. Manager Benjamín Gil, who has been a steadying force for Mexico in recent international tournaments, is confident in his roster, which features a mix of MLB talent and players excelling abroad, including pitcher Marcelo Martinez from the CPBL’s Rakuten Monkeys.
Venezuela counters with right-hander Ricardo Pinto, who hopes to keep Mexico’s potent bats in check. Pinto, who made his MLB debut with the Phillies, has shown strong form in 2024 with the Tiburones de La Guaira, leading them to a Caribbean Series title. Omar López’s squad, featuring seasoned pros like Carlos Pérez behind the plate, seeks to make an impact early, knowing a strong start could be vital in a group that includes powerhouses like the United States and Puerto Rico.
Mexico, ranked second in the world, aims to build on their bronze medal finish from the 2019 Premier12, while Venezuela, ranked fourth, seeks to continue their tradition of upsets and deep runs. In a tournament with just five group games, every pitch and every swing matter. Expect a tense, strategic encounter as both teams fight to set the tone for their campaigns.