Puerto Rico tops Panama, improves to 4-2 at U-18 World Baseball Cup

Starter Keniel Miranda pitched five scoreless innings, striking out six and allowing just one hit to earn the victory over Panama.

By THE STAR STAFF

Puerto Rico’s U-18 national team defeated Panama 3-1 on Thursday to open the super round of the U-18 World Baseball Cup at Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Japan.

With the victory, Puerto Rico improved to 1-2 in the tournament’s second phase and 4-2 overall in the tournament, which is scheduled to conclude this Sunday.

Puerto Rican pitchers once again turned in strong outings, with an outstanding performance from starter Keniel Miranda, who pitched five scoreless innings, striking out six and allowing just one hit to earn the victory. Ethan de Jesús and Yadiel Reyes, who earned the save, pitched in relief.

“The guys keep throwing a lot of strikes,” Team Puerto Rico manager Eddie González said. “Keniel Miranda did a great job for the second consecutive start. I take my hat off to Keniel. He’s come from behind; with what I saw in Puerto Rico and what he’s shown here, he’s a different pitcher.”

The Puerto Rican offense took control in the third inning with a two-run single by Kail Peña. In the seventh inning, they added a third run off Peña’s legs, thanks to a wild pitch.

The Panamanians got one back in the seventh inning with an RBI single by Juan Caballero, but the threat ended with a force out at second base after a groundout by William Cutshall.

Panama starter John González took the loss, allowing Puerto Rico’s first two runs, one of them unearned. In 4.1 innings, he struck out eight batters and allowed four hits.

Puerto Rico’s next game was slated for Friday at 1:30 a.m. (Puerto Rico time) against Taiwan.