Going, going, JUAN!!!

By David Graham-Caso
Special Correspondent

The ball had more hang-time than a hot air balloon. Venezuela’s Juan Rivera, the first batter of the second inning, broke up a tie-ball game Tuesday afternoon with a home run that traveled farther than most jumbo jets. Rivera’s estimated 300-foot epic blast not only landed on the first tier of the outfield hill at Lamade Stadium, but it would prove to be the winning run for the Latin American Champs.

“I got a high curve ball,” Rivera said through an interpreter. “I waited until it broke and then I hit it.”

According to Mexico manager Andres Sanchez, Mexico dished too many high pitches to the Latin American champs.

“We did not play that bad of a game,” he said through an interpreter. “But we got a few balls up, and we paid for it.”

Venezuela finished the game with three homeruns.

“I am pleased with how we hit,” said Venezuela manager Alfonso Avendano. “But I know we can do more.”

Venezuela captured the first-place seed out of pool D by defeating Olmeca, Mexico 6-2. Both teams entered the game undefeated, each assured of a spot in Wednesday’s International semifinal. The game was still important, as the winner and top seed would dodge the top seed from Japan for another round.

Venezuela’s starter Wilfredo Sanchez had a big day. Along with picking up the win on the hill, Sanchez was 4-4 at the plate with two-doubles, a single and a homerun. The 5-foot-1 pitcher scattered five hits and struck out seven in the five innings that he pitched.

“I was happy that all of my pitches were all with curveballs,” Sanchez said through an interpreter. “I was just happy to win this game.”

After an RBI single in the top of the first gave Venezuela the early lead, Mexico battled back in their half of the first. Alejandro Manjarrez clubbed his second homerun in as many days to tie the game at 1-1.

As the pool D champion, Venezuela next faces the second place team from pool C Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Lamade stadium.

Mexico will face Japan in the other International semifinal Thursday.

“It really doesn’t matter who we play first,” Avendano said. “We are going to have to play two games to get to the championship anyway.”