Puerto Rico vs. Venezuela: Following Jhoulys Chacín injury, La Guaira's undefeated run ends

[Kevin Barral]

Final score: PUR 6, VEN 2

A big win for Puerto Rico in front of a big crowd at LoanDepot Park.

MIAMI, FL—Venezuela had to immediately go off script on Sunday when scheduled starter Jhoulys Chacín was a last-minute scratch after suffering a right biceps strain. In his place, Venezuela manager Ozzie Guillén went with Tiago Da Silva, who struggled early on. Puerto Rico took advantage and never looked back, winning 6-2.

Puerto Rico vs. Venezuela box score and play-by-play

Da Silva would only go 1 ⅓ innings and give up three runs (two earned) and then would be followed by four relievers. Between all four relievers, Venezuela allowed five hits and three runs.

The Puerto Rico offense, who struggled against the Dominican Republic's pitching staff on Saturday came back on Sunday and quickly scored three runs in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Bryan Torres began the game with a base hit up the middle followed up with a Vimael Machín ground out that moved Torres to second. J.C. Escarra, who was at first base on Sunday, drove in the speedy Torres on an RBI single to give Puerto Rico the early 1-0 lead.

Left fielder Danny Ortiz would follow with a base hit. Catcher Jonathan Morales was about to ground out, but a bad throw by Venezuela shortstop Ehire Adrianza allowed Escarra to score, extending Puerto Rico's early lead to 2-0.

A groundout in the top of the second inning by Bryan Torres would drive in Emmanuel Rivera who had a double in his at-bat and moved nine hitter Jack Lopez to second base as he had a base hit in his at-bat. Puerto Rico once again extends their lead, 3-0.

Puerto Rico was able to tack on two more runs thanks to the bottom of the lineup, which has been the best in the Caribbean Series. Nelson Velazquez began the inning with a triple hit to left, which was followed up with Emmanuel Rivera grounding out, but Jack Lopez hit a sac fly to drive in Velazquez. The final run that Puerto Rico would score came in the top of the fifth inning when Danny Ortiz drove in Vimael Machín. Ortiz continues to be one of Puerto Rico's most productive bats in the lineup.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Venezuela scored their first run of the game off of an Alexi Amarista sac fly, which drove in Hernan Pérez. The second run that scored for Venezuela was off of a Ramon Flores RBI single which drove in Alexi Amarista to make it a 5-2 game. 

Venezuela would continue to pressure the Puerto Rico pitching staff throughout the entirety of the game, but they just never were able to find the big hit.

Venezuela now goes to a 2-1 record while Puerto Rico goes to 3-1. On Monday, Venezuela is set to take on México at 3:30 p.m. In the press conference following the game, Ozzie Guillén mentioned that they will go with his "best starter," Ricardo Antonio Pinto. At 8:30 p.m., Puerto Rico takes on the only remaining undefeated team, Panamá. 

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