(Press Release; WBSC-AMERICAS BASEBALL).- The rain was the protagonist throughout the tournament and it was no exception during the final, in which the skies opened up and prevented the conclusion of the tournament.
Mexico finally took the championship for having the best record of the entire tournament, while Cuba took the silver medal, the rain in El Salvador decided so on the last day.
Cuba had earned its place in the final by beating Venezuela earlier in the day by a score of 11-4, in this way they would play for the gold medal against Mexico, relegating Venezuela to play for the bronze medal against the Dominican Republic.
For Cuba, Dayan García's offense stood out, going 4-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs, while Bárbaro Arruebarruena went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Likewise, Yurisbel Gracial went 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBIs.
In the duel for the bronze medal, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic played an game that ended in eight innings with victory for the South Americans by a score of 8 to 7.
Venezuela came from behind three times to finally win with José García's drive in the bottom of the eighth inning that brought two teammates to walk of their rival and obtain the medal.
For Venezuela, Junnel Ledezma stood out by going 1-for-3 with two RBIs, José García went 2-for-2 with a run scored and two RBIs and Derwin Barreto went 1-for-3 with two runs scored.
Eduardo Paredes was once again vital in pitching with two innings of work in which he allowed an unearned run on one hit, two walks and three strikeouts. Of Venezuela's five victories in the tournament, he saved three and won two.
Mexico as champion of the tournament, Cuba as the silver medal and Venezuela with the bronze will attend, together with the Dominican Republic, the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile this year.
(Media Deparment; WBSC-AMERICAS BASEBALL)
