Saturday, August 29, 2009

MEXICO FINISHES THIRD IN WORLD 16U TOURNEY


Manuel Paez’ two-out single to right field and a subsequent error on the play by Venezuela’s Rainiero Coa led to Fernando Perez scoring the game-winning run all the way from first base in the bottom of the ninth inning as Mexico’s 16-Under National Team defeated Venezuela, 11-10, last Sunday in Taiwan to cop third place in the IBAF AA World Youth Baseball Championship tournament.
Paez batted 3-for-4 for the game, driving in four runs along the way. He also came in from shortstop to pitch 2.1 innings of relief, but it was Alexandro Delgado who closed the game with two scoreless entradas to earn the win out of the bullpen. Paez finished the tournament with a .517 batting average over seven games, second on the team to Adolfo Lopez’ .577 average (which was third among all players). Ivan Rivera led Mexico’s pitchers with two of the team’s four wins, Delgado’s 3.86 ERA was the best among four starters, and Paez picked up two saves in relief.
Mexico fell to the United States, 9-5, last Saturday in the semifinals. The USA then beat Cuba, 7-6, in the title game.


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