Venezuela triumphantly began its work in the Super Round of the Premier 12 Tournament, organized by the World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC), after blanking Chinese Taipei 2-0.
The meeting of the international competition, which brings together men’s teams in the adult category, was held this Thursday at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.
Nivaldo Rodríguez pitched four scoreless innings and served as the starter for La Vinotinto, which played with an alternative uniform and is led by Omar López, former strategist for Caribes de Anzoátegui in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP) and current Astros bench coach of Houston in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Rodríguez left without a decision from the top. Then relievers José Álvarez, Anthony Vizcaya, Oddanier Mosqueda and Enderson Franco completed the “grout”. Of the group of pitchers, Mosqueda and Franco stood out, who took credit for the success and the save, respectively. Tzu-Peng Huang suffered the setback.
Key hit for La Vinotinto
The key hit in the confrontation between South Americans and Asians was hit by native catcher Carlos Eduardo Pérez, who hit a two-run home run at the end of the fourth inning off starter Huang.
The caretaker took the ball out to left field after catching a slider from Huang. With his complete return connection he brought right fielder Ramón Flores to the plate.
Pérez, named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the matchup, finished 1-for-3 with one scored and two hits.
Another highlight of the ninth homeland
Flores also stood out for the national representation, which is trying to lift the Premier 12 trophy for the first time, as it finished 3-1 with a score. For Chinese Taipei, centerfielder Chieh-Hsien Chen went 3-for-3.
In another result, the United States fell 9-1 to Japan.
On Friday the WBSC event will continue with the duels: Chinese Taipei-United States and Venezuela-Japan.
Valencia / Joseph Ñambre
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**What strategies did Venezuela employ to secure their victory over Chinese Taipei in the Premier 12 Tournament?**
**Interview with Baseball Analyst Maria Gonzalez**
**Editor:** Welcome, Maria! It’s great to have you here to discuss Venezuela’s impressive performance in the Premier 12 Tournament. Just recently, they won their match against Chinese Taipei at the Tokyo Dome. Can you share your thoughts on this victory?
**Maria Gonzalez:** Thank you for having me! Absolutely, this victory was crucial for Venezuela. Winning against a strong team like Chinese Taipei sets a positive tone for their performance in the Super Round. The final score of 2-0 not only showcases Venezuela’s offensive capabilities but also highlights their pitching strength, particularly with Nivaldo Rodríguez on the mound.
**Editor:** Speaking of Nivaldo Rodríguez, how would you assess his performance during the game?
**Maria Gonzalez:** Rodríguez delivered a standout performance. Pitching four scoreless innings is no small feat, especially on such a big stage. His ability to keep the opposition from scoring allowed the team to maintain momentum and confidence, which is critical in tournament settings like this.
**Editor:** With this win, how do you think Venezuela’s chances look for the remainder of the tournament?
**Maria Gonzalez:** This win certainly boosts their confidence and standings in the tournament. If they can maintain this level of play, they have a strong chance of advancing further. However, they need to remain focused and consistent, as they’ll face other formidable teams in the Super Round.
**Editor:** The atmosphere at the Tokyo Dome must have been electric. How important do you think a supportive crowd is for the team’s morale?
**Maria Gonzalez:** Absolutely! Playing at a venue like the Tokyo Dome, especially in international competitions, can be a significant advantage. The support from fans not just energizes the players but can also intimidate opponents. It’s all part of the experience, and I believe it plays a key role in their performance.
**Editor:** Lastly, what should fans look forward to as the tournament progresses?
**Maria Gonzalez:** Fans can look forward to seeing how the team adapts to various challenges in upcoming matches. Watch for their strategic plays and adjustments, particularly in how they utilize their pitching and batting line-ups. It will be exciting to witness how they can build on this momentum!
**Editor:** Thank you, Maria, for your insights on Venezuela’s baseball journey in the Premier 12 Tournament!
**Maria Gonzalez:** Thank you! It’s always a pleasure to talk about baseball, especially when there’s so much excitement in the air!
