Solid bullpen, clutch hitting give Panama first-ever win in Premier12 history
Panama made history with a 4-2 win over Venezuela in the first game of the day on Sunday at the WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS. This game represents the first win for Panama in the history of this competition on their debut appearance in the tournament.
Panama Manager Jose Mayorga was very happy with this first victory. "It is something I have always longed for, especially since we're representing our country, and I know all the players feel the same way," he said in press conference.
Venezuela got the lead early in the game. In the top of the first, a clutch two-out double by Venezuelan clean-up hitter Ramon Flores drove in the first run of the game. Alexi Amarista had hit a single to center field, and from there scored on Flores' double in a very close play at home.
Panama tied the game in the bottom of the second with a solo shot by Carlos Quiroz. The first baseman connected a 95mph fastball in the outside corner of the plate and rocketed a line drive homer to right field to make it 1-1.
One inning later, Panama scored again and took the lead for the first time in the game. Robert Mullen doubled to left field and then scored on a one-out single by Edgar Muñoz.
However, the advantage didn't last long, as Venezuela tied the match in the top of the fourth. They loaded the bases with no outs on a single, a walk and a defensive error, and the tying-run scored on a bases-loaded balk. However, they couldn't score more runs as starter Dario Agrazal retired the next two batters on strikes and a fly to catcher; and then reliever Kenny Hernandez closed the inning with a grounder to shortstop.
"It's a tough loss for us. We had a lot of opportunities to score and we couldn't cash in. And in a tournament like this, this cannot happen," said Venezuelan manager Omar Lopez.
Hernandez had a spectacular relief appearance, pitching three scoreless innings allowing three hits, while striking out two. "I’m very happy with the team’s victory, and I simply want to thank our manager, who trusted me," Hernandez said after the game. "When we came to this tough, close game, knowing that Venezuela isn’t an easy team. But I had confidence in myself and my teammates, who can also do the job. I’m happy to get that first win."
Panama got a two-run edge in the sixth inning on a go-ahead sac fly by Ruben Tejada and a solo homer by Johnny Santos. The left fielder finished the game 2-for-3 with a triple, a homer an RBI and a run scored.
Enrique Burgos retired the last seven outs of the game, pitching perfect 2.1 innings. "We knew he's is not a pitcher of multiple innings, but we believed that his pitch count was still low, so we kept him in the game," Mayorga said.
"Yesterday was a tough game for us (losing to Netherlands), but a good team has to recover and come back to win today’s game. That’s what we aimed to do; we talked about it in the clubhouse, went out afterward, and did what we had to do," finalised Panama's manager. "We must keep fighting, and we have to face Mexico tomorrow and try to get the win."