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Marathon game forced Nicaragua to use up pitching in win against Japan

NICK FIORINI/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Luis Bravo of Nicaragua scores the tying run in the bottom of the eighth inning against Japan at Volunteer Stadium.

If it was up to Nicaragua manager Marlon Chavez, he’d have preferred for his team to have beaten Japan in just six innings. It would have helped conserve some pitching for starters. But a six-inning win didn’t come. Neither did a win in seven. Or eight. Or even nine.

Rather, it took 11 innings over the course of two days for Nicaragua to earn a walk-off win against Japan, 8-7, to advance to today’s game against either Chinese Taipei or Panama. A win’s a win no matter how you look at it, but it didn’t help pitching-wise, that’s for sure. But Nicaragua has plenty of pitchers.

Having to go 11 innings forced Nicaragua to burn through two pitchers. Garcia and Gabriel Gutierrez both threw 73 and 74 pitches, respectively, and aren’t avaialble to throw again until Saturday, if Nicaragua advances that far. Madrigal threw 46 pitches, meaning he isn’t eligible to throw again until Thursday.

The only pitcher Nicaragua threw on Monday in the 11-inning marathon contest that can throw today in Nicaragua’s next game is Johan Saravia, who threw 14 pitches. Nicaragua plays an elimination game today at 1 p.m. at Volunteer Stadium against Panama.

“I was worried during the game because that’s not the way we plan to do it. We planned to use (Levi) Madrigal and maybe another pitcher. We’re not thinking about using (Luis) Garcia, so I was worried about that,” Chavez said on Monday. “But we have enough pitchers.”

NICK FIORINI/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Brandon Jimenez lays down a bunt against Japan during Monday's elimination game at Volunteer Stadium.

While Japan was eliminated from title contention with the loss, they also went through some pitching. Jin Takimoto threw 85 pitches and reached his limit after six complete innings. Kaito Ohta then threw 45 pitches and Yota Morikawa came in for 1 1/3 innings and threw 32 innings.

A passed ball is what resulted in Nicaragua earning the walk-off win at Volunteer Stadium on Monday afternoon.

“I was very happy at that time. But we got some confidence when Dereck (Alonzo) hit the homer, and I told the kids that was the time for them. So it was a very, very happy moment,” Chavez said. “It’s very tough for the team of Japan, but it was a happy moment for our team.”

“I was very happy having hit that at the time,” Alonzo said of his home run. “Also with the help of my teammates, like Garcia and the other guys.”

Alonso’s home run was a huge three-run shot in the sixth inning which tied the game at 4-4, doing so with no outs. The hit proved to be crucial as Japan forced three consecutive outs following the home run to center field.

NICK FIORINI/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Japan's Yuto Ichii makes the final out in the bottom of the ninth to keep the game alive.

“I feel very comfortable and happy because we won the game,” Garcia said. “It was a turning point when Derek hit the homer. And we play as a team, so that’s why we are already happy.”

NICK FIORINI/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Nicaragua and Japan play in an elimination game on Monday at Volunteer Stadium.

NICK FIORINI/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jin Takimoto throws against Nicaragua toward first base during Monday's elimination game at Volunteer Stadium.

NICK FIORINI/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Nicaragua's Brandon Jimenez scores the game-winning run in the 11th inning at Volunteer Stadium during Monday's elimination game.

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