FIREWORK DISPLAY: Venezuela run-rules Mexico in debut behind ten hits, strong start

A closer look at the Venezuela's dominant 10-0 win over Mexico on Friday at Volunteer Stadium.

PLAY OF THE GAME -- Jhonson Freitez's home run: Even with three hits at the start, Venezuela's 1-0 lead would be in a surmountable position if Mexico could compose itself and close out the inning. But left fielder Jhonson Freitez made sure his team fully capitalized, drilling a meteor into left center for a momentous, three-run shot. In upping the lead to 4-0, he put the team in a more desirable spot.

VENEZUELA PLAYER OF THE GAME -- First baseman Willian's Mora: It's difficult to separate one player from Venezuela's game-changing top of the order, which accounted for seven of the team's ten hits. But Mora stood out above the rest. The first baseman went 2-of-2 from the plate on the day, hitting a double and batting in a runner on both his at-bats. He helped put the team's first run on the board and played a role in the team's five-hit rally to essentially end the outing. He also pitched a sound inning from the mound in relief of starting pitcher Luis Yepez, striking out two batters to secure the run-rule win.

MEXICO PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Shortstop Antonio Guerrero: In a game where Mexico's defense was picked apart, Antonio Guerrero still shined for the most part – this time at shortstop. In the second inning with his unit sporting one out, he halted a grounder, tagged second while winding up to throw the ball to first, then launched a laser to complete the double play. Then, he made another double play in the fourth before closing out the inning with an impressive groundout to first.

BIG INNING -- Venezuela's first: Like Japan in yesterday's opener, Venezuela came into the game more than ready to impose its will on its opponent. Its lineup began the game with four straight hits, displaying a strong suit in its top of the order that's likely to be a problem for any team that stands in its way. Those four hits resulted in four runs, with Willian's Mora hitting the centerfield wall to bat in the first run and the homer from Freitez accounting for the remaining three. And defensively, it retired the side to bolster its ever-growing momentum.

Honorable mention goes to its third inning, where it truly broke open the game with five runs on five hits.

BEST EFFORT -- Venezuela's defense: With Mexico loading the bases in the second inning with a single out on the board, Venezuela's 4-0 lead looked to be in jeopardy. But the defensive unit as a whole maintained its composure. Starting pitcher Luis Yepez would strike out the ensuing batter to mitigate Mexico's great chance to at least acquire a run. Then, right fielder Santiago Bello effectively fielded a liner to preserve the shutout – as Venezuela stranded three runners.

FLASHING LEATHER --Venezuela's Luis Yepez impressed in his first start from the mound, posting five strikeouts in three innings and allowing just one hit and one walk on the day. More notably, the team could look to play him again in the team's upcoming bout against Japan, as he and Venezuela's offense put the team in a good enough position to take him out at 50 pitches.

HOME RUNS: To cap off Venezuela's offensive explosion to start, left fielder Jhonson Freitez found the pitch he was looking for - a fast ball - nailing a three-run shot on his very first World Series at-bat.

WHAT THE ADULTS SAY-- "It was a good effort. We're very happy with the result," said Venezuela manager Domingo Carrasquel through an interpreter. "We knew we had a strong team in Mexico facing us and (the kids) were just a little nervous because it's been so long without playing. But the results came as we expected."

WHAT THE KIDS SAY-- "It meant a lot to me," said Venezuela left fielder Jhonson Freitez on helping his team start strong with his three-run shot. "I was just waiting for a fastball and I got it right down the middle."

WHAT IT MEANS-- With the win, Venezuela is set to face Japan at 1 p.m. on Friday at Volunteer Stadium, which should be an exciting matchup considering their dominant opening wins. Mexico gets sent down to the consolations, where it will look to keep its series run alive against the winner of Saturday's matchup between Canada and Puerto Rico, Sunday at 11 a.m. at Volunteer Stadium.