Mexico and the US are to meet after they advanced to the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier 12 semi-finals with wins in Taiwan yesterday, while the cohosts were packing up after an exciting ride through the pool stages.
Mexico scored three in the eighth inning to snatch a late 4-3 win over Canada, who took a 3-1 lead in the sixth after Mexico’s Humberto Sosa hit an RBI single in the first inning, with Kevin Medrano scoring.
Canada were undefeated through pool play, including a 9-8 effort against Taiwan.
Photo: Chen Chih-chu, Taipei Times
The US had a more comfortable ride, eliminating the Netherlands 6-1, although they trailed 1-0 until the fifth, when they put on three. Two more in the seventh and one in the eighth meant the US did not have to bat in the ninth, with Brooks Pounders pitching the save over four innings after relieving Zack Segovia.
Kalian Sams scored the Netherlands’ only run, reaching home on a wild pitch.
Mexico and the US are to play the first semi-final on Thursday at the Tokyo Dome, which is to host the remainder of the games.
Sites in Taipei were on cleanup duty after Taiwan’s exit with their extra-innings loss to Puerto Rico on Sunday. Their game drew boisterous crowds and there were big screens set up in public areas that also drew fields full of spectators. The screen and stage on Dunhua N Road outside the Taipei Arena was being dismantled yesterday as people reflected on what might have been.
The WBSC Web site said the opening round had generated record TV ratings in Taiwan, describing the play as “electric.”
The other semi-final is to be played between Japan and South Korea, after undefeated Japan dominated Puerto Rico 9-3 and South Korea defeated Cuba 7-2 yesterday.
The second semi-final is to start on Friday, while a third-place playoff and the final are to be played on Saturday.
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