Panama City. The host of the World Baseball Classic Qualifier at Rod Carew Stadium in Panama City has reached the final. Panama defeated Colombia 9-7 on Sunday evening and will play against Brazil on Monday, hoping to qualify for the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
It was a thrilling affair between two Pan-American baseball power houses. Panama struck first and took a 5-0 lead in the top of the second. Isaias Velasquez opened the scoring with a big two-run triple. Ruben Tejada brought him home with a bunt single. Two batters later Carlos Lee hit a 1-1 pitch over the fence in center field for a two-run homerun, capping the five-run rally.
Panama added a sixth run in the fourth thanks to a RBI single by another Major Leaguer on the team, Carlos Ruiz. It seemed, as would the stadium favorite run away with an easy victory, but Colombia fought back.
Colombia woke up in the bottom of the fourth, plating three runs on sac flies by Jhonatan Solano and Luis Sierra, as well as a RBI double of Reynaldo Rodriguez. A RBI fielder’s choice in the fifth by Donovan Solano made it even 4-6.
It was not enough to rattle Panama. A RBI single by Velasquez in the sixth and two runs in the seventh on a solo shot by Ruben Rivera and a sac fly by Ashley Ponce added three insurance runs on the board.
They were much needed, as Colombia started one last comeback try in the bottom of the eighth. Reynaldo Rodriguez and Giovanny Urshela had a RBI single and a two-run double to cut the deficit to 7-9. But with the tying run at the plate, Steve Brown grounded out to end the threat. Panama’s closer Manuel Corpas retired the side in the ninth and sealed their ticket to the final.
40-year-old World Series winner Ramiro Mendoza got the win in relief, pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Starter Alberto Acosta had allowed three hits, three runs and a walk in 3 1/3 frames, while striking out five. Karls Triana took the loss for Colombia, conceding two hits, two runs and two base on balls in one-plus innings.
With the win Panama will reach the final at the World Baseball Classic Qualifier. They are taking on Brazil on Monday evening at 8pm local time. Colombia is eliminated from the tournament.
Results WBC Qualifier Panama City:
Thursday, November 15:
Panama 2 – Brazil 3
Friday, November 16:
Colombia 8 – Nicaragua 1
Saturday, November 17:
Brazil 7 – Colombia 1 (Brazil reaches final)
Panama 6 – Nicaragua 2 (Nicaragua eliminated)
Sunday, November 18:
Colombia 7 – Panama 9 (Colombia eliminated, Panama reaches final)
Photo: Copyright World Baseball Classic, Inc.
