In the first round of the 5th World Baseball Classic (WBC), Group D, called the ‘Group of Death’, began a match of fate. The country that pulled off the most surprising win in the first match was Venezuela, which defeated the favorite Dominican Republic.
On the 12th (Korean time), Venezuela secured a 5-1 victory against the Dominican Republic in the first round (Group D) of the tournament held at Rondipo Park in Miami, USA, based on exquisite pitching harmony.
Group D, which consists of Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Israel, is considered the ‘group of death’ in the first round of this tournament. Each team has a large number of active major leaguers boasting astronomical ransom. Among them, the team that stands out by far is the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic, which is also a candidate for the championship, set Sandy Alcantara (Miami Marlins), who won the National League Cy Young Award for the 2022 season, as a starter against Venezuela on the 12th, aiming for victory.
The Dominican Republic seemed to be cruising with a first run in the first inning, but the plan went awry as the trusted Alcantara struggled against the Venezuelan lineup. Venezuela’s Anthony Santander (Baltimore Orioles) hit Alcantara’s 159 km/h sinker at the bottom of the second inning and drew a solo arch to tie the score. Venezuela, which gained momentum, turned the tide of the game with David Peralta (LA Dodgers)’ two RBIs and a right-handed hit in the bottom of the fourth inning with two out and bases loaded.메이저놀이터
Peralta scored 3 RBIs alone that day, including 1 RBI and 2 RBIs at the bottom of the 6th inning with 2 out and 1 base. Venezuela ran one more run in the bottom of the 8th inning and put a wedge in the victory. Alcantara, who only allowed 3 runs in 3.2 innings, became a losing pitcher.
Meanwhile, in the previous match, Puerto Rico defeated Nicaragua 9-1. Yadier Molina, who retired from the major leagues at the end of the 2022 season, reported his first win as manager of the Puerto Rico national team.
