Venezuela beats Puerto Rico 5-2 in a must win situation

by Guille Esquivel

Ebeisbol.com Exclusive

Leones del Caracas beat the Indios de Mayaguez 5-2 in what was an important game for both teams.

Mayaguez starter Juan Padilla played with the American Defenders of New Hampshire of the independent Can-Am League last season. He is a reliever by trade, but was used as a starter in the Puerto Rican Winter League in 2009 with the Leones de Ponce.

Venezuela got on the board early when Jesus Guzman singled to get on base and two batters later Raul Padron brought him in with a home run to right field off of Padilla to take the 2-0 lead in the second inning.

In the third inning, Venezuela did not let up and continued to punish Padilla. Carlos Maldonado singled to right scoring Oscar Salazar. Padron then singled to right scoring Guzman for his third RBI of the game. Padron went 2-4 with three RBI.

Mako Olivares, who entered the record books tying Francisco Paquin Estrada with seven appearances in the Caribbean Series, had seen enough and yanked Padilla in favor of Nelvin Fuentes.

Fuentes did not fare much better when he allowed back to back singles to open the fourth inning and Luis Maza proceeded to single to left scoring Gregorio Petit and giving his team the commanding lead, 5-0.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Puerto Rico showed signs of life when slugger Randy Ruiz hit a monster shot to center off Jason Simontacchi and ruined the shutout. Three batters later, Angel Sanchez reached base on an infield grounder and Edgardo Baez came in to score on shortstop Petit’s error and the Indios now trailed, 5-2.

Petit has committed three errors so far and is on pace to break Ivan DeJesus’ mark in a Caribbean Series.

Simontacchi pitched 4 1/3 innings allowing one earned run on eight hits, striking out five without allowing a walk.

Puerto Rico threatened in the bottom of the sixth inning loading up the bases on reliever Darwin Cubillan before he was pulled in favor of Edgar Estanga. Estanga induced an inning ending flyout to center to end the rally.

Venezuela and Puerto Rico had eleven hits apiece, but the Indios were unable to capitalize.

On Day 3 Puerto Rico will face Mexico in what is a do or die game for them. Puerto remains winless while Mexico has one victory and one loss.

Venezuela will meet the undefeated Dominican team in Thursday’s nightcap in what is the most anticipated matchup of the series.