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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How might Venezuela’s strong start in the Premier 12 Tournament impact the future of its baseball talent development?
**Interview with Baseball Expert Maria Gonzalez on Venezuela’s Recent Triumphs**
**Editor:** Welcome, Maria! It’s great to have you here to discuss Venezuela’s recent achievements in baseball. Let’s start with the stunning victory of the Tiburones de la Guaira in the Caribbean Series. What does this win signify for Venezuelan baseball?
**Maria Gonzalez:** Thank you for having me! Venezuela’s victory at the 2024 Caribbean Series is monumental. This win not only marks the first championship title for Tiburones de la Guaira in the tournament’s history but also highlights the resilience and talent of Venezuelan baseball on a larger stage. The fact that they competed in front of a record crowd at loanDepot park adds to the excitement and demonstrates the growing enthusiasm for baseball in Venezuela and the Caribbean region[[1](https://www.mlb.com/news/venezuela-wins-2024-caribbean-series-title)].
**Editor:** That’s a remarkable achievement! Now, shifting gears to the Premier 12 Tournament, Venezuela recently started strong with a 2-0 win against Chinese Taipei. How crucial is this victory for their momentum in the tournament?
**Maria Gonzalez:** Absolutely crucial. Starting the Super Round with a win, especially against a strong team like Chinese Taipei, sets a positive tone for Venezuela. It boosts team morale and confidence, and it also places them in a favorable position as they vie for a top finish in the tournament. Pitcher Nivaldo Rodríguez’s performance, particularly being efficient in his four scoreless innings, underscores the depth and skill within the Venezuelan pitching lineup. These early wins can be pivotal as the tournament progresses, shaping their pathway toward potential championship aspirations[[1](https://www.mlb.com/news/venezuela-wins-2024-caribbean-series-title)].
**Editor:** Interesting point about the importance of momentum! With both the Caribbean Series victory and the strong start in the Premier 12, what does this say about the future of Venezuelan baseball?
**Maria Gonzalez:** The future looks bright for Venezuelan baseball. These recent successes showcase the country’s rich talent pool and dedication to the sport. Young players are stepping up and proving themselves on international stages. It reflects a positive trend not just in terms of performance but also in the investment in youth programs and development. If they continue to build on this success, we could see more Venezuelan players making their mark in Major League Baseball and other international competitions in the coming years.
**Editor:** Thank you, Maria! Your insights are invaluable. It’s an exciting time for Venezuelan baseball, and I look forward to seeing how these developments unfold.
**Maria Gonzalez:** Thank you! I’m excited too and can’t wait to see what’s next for Venezuelan baseball!
