Caribbean Series 2024: México on verge of elimination

[Kevin Barral]

Final score: VEN 6, MEX 1

With their backs against the wall, México held a 1-0 lead entering the seventh, then it all came crashing down.

MIAMI, FL—Although not mathematically eliminated yet, México saw any chance of a Caribbean Series comeback slip away on Monday afternoon against Venezuela.

Venezuela's starter Ricardo Pinto kept his team in it. He struck out eight Mexican batters and only walked two. Pinto now holds the highest amount of strikeouts for any pitcher in this tournament. In the bottom of the third inning, the only run that Pinto gave up was an RBI single to Roberto Valenzuela who drove in Irving López.

México's Zach Matson and Joe Van Meter combined to make that lead hold up until the seventh inning. After Odubel Herrera struck out, Leonardo Reginatto and Alcides Escobar both got base hits to set up Alexi Amarista. Escobar stole second, which put two runners in scoring position and on a 1-1 count, Juan Gámez threw Amarista a sinker which he took advantage of to drive in Reginatto and tie the game up at one apiece. Venezuela would go on to take a 3-1 lead as RBI singles from Wilfredo Tovar and Wilson Ramos would follow.

Ozzie Guillén's club ended up scoring six runs on the night with more insurance runs scoring on a single from Wilson Ramos and a double from Luis Torrens.

For the Tiburones, Guillén went with four more pitchers after Pinto. Jorgan Cavanerio, Silvino Bracho and Anthony Vizcaya threw scoreless innings and closer Arnaldo Hernández struck out two in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The win for Venezuela gives them a comfortable 3-1 record, while for México, they fall to 1-4, with their only remaining game being against Nicaragua.

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