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Venezuela erupts for 11 runs to defeat Mexico

By HENRY HUBER 4 min read

A closer look at the Venezuela's 11-3 win over Mexico on Wednesday at Volunteer Stadium.

PLAY OF THE GAME -- After kicking off the second inning with a walk and hit to put two runners on base, Venezuela's Jonathan Landaeta lodged a fly ball deep into center fielder, scoring both runners to make it 5-0 and putting himself in scoring position. Even with the Mexico defense regathering itself from there, a fly out to right allowed Landaeta to score the team's sixth run, putting Venezuela is an incredible spot to start. He was also the ninth player to get on base through the lineup's first rotation.

VENEZUELA PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Willian's Mora: First baseman Willian's Mora continues to be a force from the plate, logging a hit all three times he took the plate tonight and finding his way home each time as well. Through four games, he has six hits and could certainly prove impactful as one of the most consistent cleanup batters in the bracket.

MEXICO PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Santiago Sotelo: Mexico left fielder Santiago Sotelo was put in a tough spot early against Venezuela, relieving starting pitcher Raul Hernandez Jr. late the first with their opponents building up momentum. And though he expectedly struggled initially, allowing three runs in the second, he was able to get it together from there. From the third to fifth inning, he allowed just one run. And offensively, he had a great day from the plate, batting in one of Mexico's two fourth inning runs with a double and getting walk on his only other at-bat.

BIG INNING--Best way to start: In its previous outing, Venezuela was held scoreless through the first five innings against Aruba, with its late effort in the sixth being the only thing to stand in its way of elimination.

Fortunately, it wouldn't have to rely on that this time around. After hitting into a groundout to start, Venezuela would get four straight runners to quickly impact the scoreboard. And when José Pérez hit into a fielder's choice to give Venezuela two outs, Diego Biarreta and Abraham Lucena revived the run, with Barreta batting in its third run of the inning and Lucena giving the team more shot at runs.

BEST EFFORT--Initial stands: After going up 3-0 to kick things off, Venezuela's initial lead would be threatened immediately, as an Antonio Guerrero double and two walks loaded the bases up for Mexico in the first. But Venezuela starting pitcher Luis Yepez didn't panic, even after pitching two straight balls, striking out Sergio Gonzales to keep Mexico off the board to start.

In the second, Mexico got its offense going again, logging three hits in four plate appearances and putting one run on the board. But Venezuela responded well again. With just one out on the board and two runners on base, Perez pitched his third strikeout of the game before forcing a groundout to close out the inning having surrendered just one run.

With Mexico finding its offense again later on, those two stands proved important.

FLASHING LEATHER--Mexico saw its most offensive success in the fourth inning, where it put up two runs and got the game within four. But just like the first and second inning, Venezuela was able to keep the damage to a minimum. Mexico's first run there came on a double but the next came on an impressive fly out caught by Venezuela center fielder Santiago Bello. Then, relieving pitcher Jhonson Freitez fanned Diego Gonzalez to keep the team's lead at four heading into the fifth.

WHAT THE ADULTS SAY-- "Mexico is a great team. Everything just went well for us, and we got the victory," said Venezuela manager Domingo Carrasquel through an interpreter. "Every game is hard. We just came in doing what we needed to do."

WHAT THE KIDS SAY-- "I want to thank God. I was just very emotional," said Venezuela second baseman Willian's Mora on his recent success. "We were just focused today, and everything went well."

WHAT IT MEANS-- Mexico has been eliminated from the Little League World Series, finishing its run with a 2-2 record. Venezuela keeps its tournament run alive another round and is set to face off against Japan on Thursday at 3 p.m. at Lamade Stadium.

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