The second game of the Pool Two double header is due to get underway in a few minutes. Venezuela needs a win here, otherwise they’ll be the only team in the draw with two losses. A win means all four teams would be tied at one, and whichever two teams win tomorrow go on to the semi-finals.
Update: A walk to Abreu is the only damage done by the Venezuelan team against Pineiro. The big hitters for Venezuela continue not to produce.
Update: Zambrano throws a ton of pitches in the first to keep Puerto Rico scoreless. He threw 27 to Piniero’s 18.
Update: They’re through three innings in Puerto Rico, and not much is happening. Both teams have two hits and no runs. Zambrano’s thrown 59 pitches, so he may be done. Pineiro is at 47. An outing like this from Pineiro has to make Seattle fans happy. He’s yet to allow a run in the tournament.
Update: It’s raining in the bottom of the fourth.
Update: Zambrano is through four with 72 pitches thrown. He’s given Venezuela an excellent start, striking out five, but even if he comes out for the fifth, he’ll likely face just two batters.
Update: Endy Chavez starts the scoring in fifth. With Alfonzo on first, Chavez launches one into the right field bleachers for a 2-0 Venezuelan lead.
Update: A walk to Vizquel chases Pineiro from the game. He ends up throwing 72 pitches, same as Zambrano, but with two more outs.
Update: Pedro Feliciano get Abreu for the final out of the inning.
Update: There was just a very strange double play. With men on first and third, Alex Cora bunted. The catcher Hernandez jumped on the ball and threw to second for the out. Valentin was off third, and Vizquel threw to third to try to nail him. The ump called Valentin out, but the replay showed he was safe. The Puerto Rican threat goes by the boards and Venezuela still leads 2-0.
Update: Puerto Rico gets men on first and third, but I-Rod flys out to shortstop to end the inning. The score remains 2-0 Venezuela at the end of seven.
Update: Venezuela gets the first two batters on in the 8th on walks. Puerto Rico goes to the bullpen again to try to put out the fire. Ivan Maldonado comes in to pitch.
Update: Miguel Cabrera gets hit in the hand. He goes to first to load the bases, but he’s in pain.
Update: Victor Martinez puts an exclamation point on the night as he hits a grand slam to extend the Venezuelan lead to 6-0. Looks like we’ll have a four-way tie in Pool 2 after this game.
Update: K-Rod retires the side in the bottom of the ninth to give Venezuela the victory and throw Pool 2 into a four way tie. Venezuela plays the Domincian Republic for one semi-final spot tomorrow, while Cuba faces Puerto Rico for the other slot on Wednesday. It’s been a very evenly matched bracket so far.
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