Nicaragua beat Venezuela, stay undefeated
Angel Canales allowed one run over five innings, leading World No. 17 Nicaragua to a 3-2 win over No. 5 Venezuela. The starter relied on two double plays to escape the early innings, and his bullpen did the rest. Bryan Torres got the final out with the potential tying run at first. Junior Ortega and Godwin Bennet led the lineup with two hits each.
Venezuela had a scoring opportunity in the top of the first. Centre fielder Lewis Castillo reached on a one-out single. Brainer Bonaci followed with another base hit and brought him to third. Cesar Idrodo walked to load the bases. After a coach visit to the mound, Nicaragua starter Brayan Medina got second baseman Pedro Martinez to ground into an inning ending double play.
Nicaragua took the lead against Angel Canales in the bottom half of the frame. Odlanyer Maramoros reached on a one-out infield single and stole second. The runs came with two outs. Designated hitter Godwin Bennett hit an RBI double to left field and scored on Roger Leyton's single up the middle.
Venezuela got on the scoreboard in the top of th third. After the second double play manufactured by Nicaragua's infield, Medina allowed back-to-back one-out walks. Right fielder Cesar Idrogo made the most of it with an RBI single. Medina struck out Angel Canales to end the inning.
Nicaragua re-established the gap in the bottom half of the inning thanks to Junior Ortega. The leadoff hitter reached on a drag bunt, stole second, advanced to third on the error on the play and scored on a groundout.
Venezuela made it a one-out game in the top of the seventh. Reliever Jared Albir allowed a one-out walk to Gilbert Medina, who left for pinch-runner Moises Paiva.
Paiva advanced to second on a ground out, stole third and scored on a base hit by Luis Hernandez, who became the potential tying run at first.
Bryan Torres came out of the bullpen and retired Luis Castillo on a grounder to second base to end the game.
Nicaragua is now 2-0 and will face No. 3 Chinese Taipei on Day 3. Venezuela (1-1) will play No. 31 South Africa.