(Press Release WBSC-AMERICAS BASEBALL).- The victory of Mexico (4-1) allows them to continue at the top of the standings, while Cuba (3-2) won both duels of their double header and tied with Dominican Republic (3-2).
Curaçao (3-2) also gave up the top spot in the standings after being surprised by Nicaragua (2-3), while El Salvador and Venezuela could not play due to the rain.
Cuba took an important step to get closer to qualifying for the Pan American Games and the Medal Round by winning in both games of their doubleheader games in a resounding manner, beginning with a 15-0 knockout victory in five innings against El Salvador.
The Cuban offense was led by Yasniel González who batted 2-for-3 with a run scored and three RBIs. Yoelkis Guibert went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored. While Andrys Pérez went 3-3 with two runs scored and one driven in.
In its second game, Cuba again displayed its powerful offense, this time defeating the Dominican Republic also by knockout in six innings by score 12-0.
In that second duel, Yoelkis Guibert once again stood out in batting, going 2-for-4 with a run scored and three RBIs. Andrys Pérez had three RBIs and scored a run as he batted 1-for-3, while Roel Santos went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Mexico took a decisive step to the Medal Round by defeating Puerto Rico by a minimum, the 5-4 victory led the Puerto Ricans to four defeats in the tournament, while the Central Americans improved to 4-1.
Fernando Vilegas was the engine of the Mexican offense by batting 2-for-3 with two runs scored and five RBIs for his team. Norberto Obeso also went 1-for-2 scoring two runs.
Nicaragua surprised Curaçao by beating them in eight innings by score 6 to 5, thus taking their rivals out of first place, while the Central Americans remain with chances to qualify for the Medal Round.
For Nicaragua, Rodolfo Bone stood out offensively, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs, also Benjamin Alegría, who went 1-for-4 with two runs scored, and José Orozco, who scored two runs, despite going hitless in three at-bats.
(Media Department WBSC-AMERICAS BASEBALL)
