USA - Venezuela live online: stats, scores and updates | 2024 Premier12 Super Group updates

Bottom 6th

Dixon Machado leads off for the Arepas and he works the count to 1-2 before being unable to hold off on a checked swing to go down swinging.

K

Ryan Ward will face the new pitcher and he works the count full before the payoff delivery gets him swinging at strike three to end the inning.

But the USA has tacked on three more runs and now lead 5-0 in the sixth!

Pitching change

That is going to be it for Vizcaya, it just isn't his day. Omar López will dip into the pen and call on Arnaldo Hernandez to take over.

RBI double! USA scores!

Carson Williams up to the plate now with a runner in scoring position and two outs and he crushes a ball to left center! It comes off the wall and he is in there with an RBI double!

RBI single to center! USA scores!

Matt Shaw the hitter and he rips a single to center field! Ritter scores from second and the throw to the plate is not in time. Shaw advances to second on the throw to the plate.

Sac fly F8 out! USA scores

Chandler Simpson jumps on the first pitch and pounds it deep to center field. Rodriguez makes the catch, but it is deep enough to allow Baldwin to tag and score on the play.

sacrifice

Justin Crawford up to the plate with nobody out and runners on first and second. He fouls off five on the way to a 2-2 count before tapping a soft one to first. Vizcaya scoops it up on his way to the bag and it is effectively a sac bunt.

walk

Luke Ritter the hitter now and he works the count full before the payoff delivery from Vizcaya misses outside for a walk.

Top 6th

Drake Baldwin will lead off agains the new pitcher and he rips a shot into the gap in left center and he is in there with a leadoff double!

Pitching change

Venezuela will call on Anthony Vizcaya to take over on the mound.

Double play! 5-3

Jermaine Palacios the hitter now and he lines a shot to third base. It is caught by Shaw who rifles it to first to get Reyes doubled up! He was too far off the bag and Shaw made him pay for it!

K

Carlos J Pérez will face the new pitcher with a runner on first and nobody out. Menedez gets him swinging on three pitches and we have our first out.

Pitching change

That is going to be it for Touki Toussaint as Mike Scioscia immediately goes to his bullpen and calls on Antonio Menendez to take over.

Bottom 5th

Angel Reyes leads things off for Venezuela and he draws a walk on four pitches.

4-3 play

Termarr Johnson up now with runners on first and second and he chops one to second. Amarista fields it and goes to first to end the inning.

Intentional walk

Colby Thomas is offered the free pass so that Breto can face the lefty Termarr Johnson.

K

Ryan Ward will face the new pitcher and works the count full before the payoff fro Breto catches Ward out with a swing and miss on a nasty knuckle curve. Two gone

Pitching change

That is going to do it for Jesús Vargas as manager Omar López takes the baseball from him and calls on Liarvis Breto to take over.

F4 out

Carson Williams the hitter and he lifts a pop fly to shallow right field. Amarista drifts back and takes it for out number one.

Top 5th

Matt Shaw will lead off for the USA and he fires a shot into right center and it gets past the outstretched glove of Ramón Flores! Shaw is in there with a leadoff double!

4-3 play

Ramón Flores up to the plate and he grounds a roller to second. Johnson fields it and goes to first to end the inning and the USA are still leading 2-0 after four.

K

Carlos E Pérez the hitter now and Toussaint unloads that splitter again to get two strikeouts in a row.

Bottom 4th

Herlis Rodríguez leads off for Venezuela in the bottom of the fourth and he works the count to 2-2 before chasing a splitter for strike three. One away

6-3 play

Chandler Simpson up to the batters box and he taps a ground ball over to short. Machado makes the throw to first and ends the inning.

F9 out

Justin Crawford the hitter now and he fouls off seven pitches on the way to a 2-2 count. Finally he lifts one out to right field where Ramon Flores gets under it for the second out.

Top 4th

Luke Ritter leads off for the USA and he chops a roller to short for Machado. The throw to first gets out number one.

6-3 play

Hernán Pérez the hitter and he breaks his bat as he chops one to short. The play from Williams to first and the USA get out of a jam.

At the end of three it is still 2-0 to the USA.

Double to right

Alexi Amarista the hitter now and he crushes a shot to right field! That is a shot, a line drive and it comes off the wall! Amarista is in there with a double and Machado advances to third on the play!

single to center

Dixon Machado up now and he rips the first pitch into center field for a two out single.

5-3 play

Jermaine Palacios the hitter and he rips a shot to third base for Matt Shaw and he makes a great grab and fires a rocket to first for the out. Two gone.

Bottom 3rd

Carlos J Pérez will lead things off for Venezela in the bottom half of the third and he lifts a fly ball out to center field for Crawford and that is out number one.

F8 out

Drake Baldwin up to the plate and works the count to 2-2 before lifting a fly ball out to center for Rodriguez, and that ends the inning.

Foul F5 out

Johnson works the count to 1-2 before lifting a foul ball behind third base where Palacios is able to get to it and put it away for the second out.

stolen base

Termarr Johnson the hitter and on the first pitch, Thomas takes off for second! The throw down is not in time and he has a stolen base!

Hit by pitch

Colby Thomas the hitter now and he gets hit by the first pitch.

Top 3rd

Ryan Ward leads things off for the USA and he grounds a roller to second for Amarista. The throw to first and we have one away.

5-4-3 double play!

Ángel Reyes up to the plate with a runner on first and one out and he hits a shot on the ground to third. The throw to second gets one and on to first to end the inning!

F7 out

Ramón Flores up now and he lifts a fly ball to left field for the first out.

Bottom 2nd

Carlos Pérez leads off for Venezuela and Toussaint jumps out to a 1-2 lead in the count. Perez manages to hold up on his check swing leveling the connect 2-2 before the next pitch misses low and the count runs full.

The payoff delivery misses outside and Pérez has a leadoff walk.

F7 out

Carson Williams the hitter now with runners at the corners and he jumps on the first pitch, lining it to left but right at Angel Reyes to end the inning.

But the USA get on the board with two runs!

Fielder's choice! USA scores!

Matt Shaw chops a shot to second base. Amarista goes to the bag for one and the can't get the second at first. The runner from third scores on the fielder's choice!

single to right! USA scores!

Chandler Simpson the hitter now and he works the count to 1-1.

Simpson lifts a little flare into shallow right center and the run scores from third! The USA is on the board!

The bases remain loaded with one out.

K

Justin Crawford the batter now and Vargas is in a real bind. He manages to get ahead in the count 1 ball 2 strikes.

A tailing changeup gets Crawford swinging and he foul tips the ball into the catcher's mitt for the first out.

Bunt

The Venezuelans will huddle up on the mound to try to calm Vargas down as Luke Ritter steps into the batter’s box.

Ritter squares and lays down a perfect bunt! Exactly between the charging first baseman and the mound and everybody is safe! Two walks and a bunt and the USA had the bases loaded with nobody out!

walk

Drake Baldwin now the hitter for the United States and the first pitch from Vargas misses low.

A pick off move to first base from Vargas and then another change up just rides outside. 2-0

Baldwin fouls back the next delivery and Vargas misses outside with another fastball. 3 balls one strike.

A change up catches the top of the zone and the count is full. The payoff delivery from Vargas is in the dirt and that is two walks in a row.

Top 2nd

Termarr Johnson will lead things off for the USA and he works the count to 2-2 before getting luck with a call to run the count full. That was close!

The payoff misses low and away and Johnson gets a leadoff walk.

K

Herlis Rodríguez up to the plate now and he chases three splitters in the dirt for the quick strikeout to end the inning.

K

Hernan Pérez the hitter now and he works the count to 2-2 before Pérez is unable to hold up his checked swing on a slider in the dirt for strike three. Two out.

Bottom 1st

Alexi Amarista will lead things off for Venezuela and he lifts the second delivery from Toussaint to center field but directly at Justin Crawford. One away.

The replay team have confirmed that the reason that Simpson was called safe at second base was because Amarista was blocking the bag. That was deemed to be unsportsmanlike and led to the call of safe.

6-3 play

Colby Thomas up to the plate now with men on the corners and two away. He takes a huge cut at the first pitch but comes up empty. 0-1

He chases a low sinker and it is 0-2.

Vargas bounces the next and then misses high with the following delivery. 2-2

Thomas chops the next pitch to short and the throw just in time to end the inning.

walk

Ryan Ward the hitter now and he works the count to 3-0 before Vargas misses outside with the fourth. A straight walk.

ꓘ

Williams runs the count to 2-2 before a beautiful fastball at the knees freezes him for a called strike three. Two gone now.

stolen base

Carson Williams the hitter and on the 0-1 pitch, Simpson takes off for third! The throw from Pérez is not in time and he is safe!

The replay looks as if he may have actually been out, but with no challenges left, Venezuela just have to accept it.

F9 out

Shaw lifts the next pitch into right field and Ramón Flores gets under it for the out. It is not deep enough to advance the runner. One down.

Venezuela challenge the call of safe at second and it looks as if Amarista blocked the bag with his foot. Simpson never got to the bag. The umpires rule it safe anyway and Omar Lopez is not happy about it!

stolen base

Matt Shaw the hitter now and with a 1-1 count, Simpson takes off for second! The throw down is not in time and Simpson is in there!

Top 1st

Chandler Simpson takes the first pitch for a ball low and we are under way!

Vargas evens it up with a strike before Simpson fouls off another sinker to run the count to 1-2.

Vargas' delivery misses wide and the count goes even 2-2.

Simpson lifts the next pitch into left field for a leadoff single.

PLAY BALL!

Venezuela are on the field, Jesús Vargas is on the mound. The fans are in on their feet and the umpires are ready as Chandler Simpson will lead off for the USA.

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.

Nearly there!

Almost time!

LINEUPS

The Home Team
Venezuela Batting Order
1. Alexi Amarista 2B
2. Hernan Pérez DH
3. Herlis Rodríguez CF
4. Carlos E Pérez C   
5. Ramón Flores RF
6. Ángel Reyes LF
7. Carlos J Pérez 1B
8. Jermaine Palacios 3B
9. Dixon Machedo SS

Manager: Omar López

The Visitors
USA Batting Order
1. Chandler Simpson RF
2. Matt Shaw 3B
3. Carson Williams SS
4. Ryan Ward DH
5. Colby Thomas LF  
6. Termarr Johnson 2B  
7.  Drake Baldwin C
8. Luke Ritter 1B
9. Justin Crawford CF

Manager: Mike Scioscia

STARTING PITCHERS CAREER STATS

USA
Touki Toussaint
15 - 16
5.39 ERA
292 K
280.1 IP
1.53 WHIP

VENEZUELA
Jesús Vargas
37 - 36
4.32 ERA
439 K
579.2 IP
1.31 WHIP

PITCHING

USA: Touki Toussaint RHP
Touki Toussaint gets the nod for Team USA, bringing his mix of experience and electric stuff to the Tokyo Dome in a must-win scenario. The 28-year-old right-hander, known for his live arm and impressive movement, has struggled to find consistency in this tournament. His last outing was a rollercoaster, flashing dominance with six strikeouts but allowing too many free passes and missing his spots in critical moments. Toussaint’s repertoire is as dynamic as it gets: a mid-90s fastball, a devastating curveball, and a splitter that dives out of the strike zone. However, his success today hinges on command, especially against a disciplined Venezuelan lineup that thrives on capitalizing against pitchers who fall behind.

Toussaint enters this game carrying the weight of his team’s dwindling hopes for advancing. The USA’s 0-2 start in the Super Round leaves no room for error, and Toussaint will need to set the tempo early to keep his squad in contention. Manager Mike Scioscia has emphasized the importance of limiting big innings, something Toussaint struggled with in his previous outings. Still, his raw talent and big-game experience in both MLB and international play make him a wild card capable of turning the tide. If Toussaint can harness his best stuff and work through early jitters, he could give Team USA the spark it desperately needs to stay alive in the tournament.

VENEZUELA: Jesús Vargas RHP
Jesús Vargas takes the mound for Venezuela, carrying the hopes of a nation hungry for a breakthrough in international baseball. The 25-year-old right-hander has emerged as a reliable arm in this Premier12, highlighted by his five-inning gem against Panama where he allowed just one run while striking out six. Vargas doesn’t overpower hitters with raw velocity; instead, he leans on sharp command and a knack for changing speeds to keep opposing lineups off-balance. His fastball sits comfortably in the low 90s, complemented by a biting slider and a changeup he’s willing to throw in any count. Today, Vargas faces the challenge of navigating a potent USA lineup stacked with power, but his calm demeanor on the mound could be the key to success.

Vargas has been a key piece for Venezuela’s pitching staff, which boasts a stellar 3.05 ERA in this tournament. His ability to pitch effectively in high-pressure moments has drawn praise from manager Omar López, who trusts him to set the tone in this pivotal contest. Vargas will need to stay ahead in counts and avoid leaving pitches over the heart of the plate, as the American hitters have feasted on mistakes throughout the tournament. If he can keep his pitch count manageable and work deep into the game, he gives Venezuela a strong chance to clinch a spot in the final. With the stakes at their highest, Vargas knows today’s performance could define his young international career.

WELCOME!!!

Welcome to the Diario AS USA live commentary of a do or die game between the USA and Venezuela as both cling to survival with their fingernails, both needing a win. First pitch 10pm ET.

The WBSC Premier12 2024 reaches a critical juncture as Team USA faces off against Venezuela in the Super Round today at the Tokyo Dome. This game is crucial for both teams as they vie for a spot in the championship game tomorrow, hinging not only on their own performance but also on the outcome of the later Japan vs. Chinese Taipei matchup. Venezuela enters with a 1-1 record in this round, while the USA lags behind at 0-2, still clinging to a mathematical chance to advance.

Venezuela's recent games reflect their potential and pitfalls. A strong 2-0 win over Chinese Taipei was followed by a dramatic loss to Japan, where they squandered a late lead. Their tournament performance includes an impressive .299 batting average, 11 home runs, and a solid 3.05 team ERA. Manager Omar Lopez has chosen right-hander Jesús Vargas to start today, a pitcher who delivered a solid performance earlier in the tournament against Panama, striking out six over five innings.

On the other hand, Team USA has struggled in the Super Round, suffering significant losses to both Japan and Chinese Taipei. However, they boast comparable offensive stats, hitting .288 with 11 homers, and aim to rebound under the leadership of manager Mike Scioscia. The team sends Touki Toussaint to the mound, a seasoned MLB veteran with a career 5.39 ERA, but whose tournament performance has been uneven so far.

This isn't the first meeting between these two teams in this tournament; Venezuela edged out the USA 5-3 in the opening round, aided by a three-run burst in the sixth inning. Historical matchups since 2011, however, favor the USA, making today's game both a chance for redemption and a test of Venezuela's resolve to overturn old patterns.

Both teams have faced ups and downs in Premier12 history. The USA has twice come close to glory, finishing second in 2015 and fourth in 2019. Venezuela, by contrast, has yet to make a deep run in the tournament, finishing outside the top five in both prior editions. A win today would be a significant achievement for either side as they chase a place in baseball's international spotlight.