By: José Luis López Sado
Havana.— The group of the III Premier 12 Baseball Tournament, which is held in two Mexican stadiums, is in a tie, with its six teams showing a similar balance of wins and losses (1-1).
The third date will be played this Monday and two of those teams will have the possibility of maintaining parity at the top.
The scheduled duels are Venezuela-United States and Panama-Mexico. Holland and Puerto Rico will enjoy their day off.
That six-fold tie was caused when the three teams that had lost on the opening date won this Sunday.
The United States team knocked out the Netherlands in eight innings (12×2), supported by a 13-hit offense, including three home runs, at the Tepic Stadium, Nayarit.
Madero at the ready highlighted the first baseman and second hitter Matt Shaw, who went 4 for 5, with a double, home run and seven RBIs.
Meanwhile, debutant Panama, despite making four errors, beat Venezuela 4×2.
The disciples of mentor José Mayorga scored runs in the second and third innings, led by a home run by Carlos Quiroz and a single by Edgar Muñoz.
At the Pan American Stadium in Guadalajara, the Panamanians achieved success with two runs in the sixth inning, in which there was a solo home run by Jhonny Santos.
Finally, local Mexico satisfied its fans with a 7×5 victory against Puerto Rico. Success for Luis Rodríguez and rescue of Rubén Alaniz.
For the Mexicans, outfielder Alonso Gaitán and first baseman José Rojas stood out offensively, both with three RBIs.
Group B action will begin on the 13th in Chinese Taipei and Japan, cheered on by those countries, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Australia and South Korea.
The two best-placed teams in each bracket will access the Super Round based in Japan.
