Carlos Quiroz late-inning sac fly secures Panama's victory over Mexico 3-2

A late-inning sac fly by Carlos Quiroz lifted Panama to a 3-2 comeback win over Mexico in Guadalajara, securing the team's second win in Group A of the WBSC Premier12 presented by RAXUS. Panama erased a 2-0 deficit early in the game to clinch a crucial victory for the standings.

"We knew the significance of the game, and as I’ve said, all the games will be good ones, and this was no exception. I think it was something beautiful for all the fans and really for all baseball followers," said Panama's manager Jose Mayorga. "Thanks to God, things went well for us. We managed to tie the game, which was challenging early on, and then we secured the victory."

Alonso Gaitan started things off in spectacular fashion for Mexico, sending the first pitch of the game over the scoreboard in left field to give the host country a 1-0 lead. Panama's starter Wilfredo Pereira missed his spot with a 92mph fastball, leaving it up and in, and Gaitan disappeared it with a mammoth homer.

In the bottom of the second, Mexico used the same formula to extend their lead. Tres Barrera stepped in the plate for the first time in the tournament, and smashed a solo shot off Pereira to make it 2-0.

"After those first two innings in which we opened the game with a pair of home runs, I thought we were going to have a very good offensive game because aside from the home runs, we also had a walk and then a hit," said Mexican skipper Benjamin Gil. "But they stopped throwing fastballs at us and we couldn't make the adjustment. Teams that win championships consistently play baseball with fundamentals and make adjustments. And today we made no adjustments."

Panama recovered in the top of the fourth and tied the game with a pair of runs. With runners in the corners and one out, Carlos Quiroz grounded to shortstop to drive in Ruben Tejada; and then Luis Castillo connected a clutch two-out, game-tying RBI single to left center field to make it 2-2.

In the top of the eighth Panama took the definitive 3-2 lead in the game. A costly error by Mexican shortstop Alan Trejo allowed Ruben Tejada reach first base. Luis Castillo sent him to third with a single to the right field, and then Carlos Quiroz skied a sacrifice fly to right field to plate the go-ahead run.

"I think it’s been a challenging tournament, where we faced quality pitching," said Quiroz. "We’ve come out not to work individually but collectively, playing as a team to get the necessary runs to keep moving forward."

Alberto Baldonado retired the last three outs, including a strikeout to Alonso Gaitan for the out number 27 to secure Panama's second win in the tournament.

"I feel grateful, first of all, for the confidence of both the manager and everyone else," said Baldonado. "Just as each of us always does, I focused on my job, trusting my battery, and relying on my teammates behind me. We all work to make the game happen."