Venezuela beat Dominicana for the 1st time in the World Clasico

MIAMI (AP) — Venezuela has confirmed it has the guts to shine in this World Baseball Classic.

Luis Garcia struck out seven in three innings of relief as Venezuela stunned Saturday with a 5-1 victory over the Dominican Republic, which they had never beaten in the tournament.

The Venezuelans weren’t intimidated after losing 1-0 after the first episode. Anthony Santander homered in the second inning against 2022 National League Cy Young Trophy winner Sandy Alcántara.

David Peralta hit a two-run single in the fourth to break the tie, then added an RBI brace in the sixth to make it 4-1.

Santander helped extend the lead in the eighth when he hat-tricked and scored on Eugenio Suárez’s single.

Venezuela had lost their previous six encounters against the Dominican Republic in the Clásico.

“We accept it with humility,” said Venezuelan coach Omar López.

The powerful Dominican offense died down after Juan Soto hit an RBI brace from Martín Pérez in the first act.

The 2013 champions disappointed in front of 35,890 fans at LoanDepot Park, including chairman Luis Abinader. They struck out 15, blocked 13 men on base and went 0 for 12 with men in scoring position.

“You have to take your hat off. Venezuela played better,” Dominican manager Rodney Linares said, pointing to the rivals’ opportunism. “They made all five points with two outs, four of them with two strikes.”

The Dominicans faked a reaction in the eighth inning, when Wander Franco singled one out and Jeremy Peña walked. However, Jeimer Candelario threw into short right field, where Santander dove for the catch. Reliever José Alvarado retired Francisco Mejía to end the inning.

Linares admitted his team suffered from anxiety when debuting in a tournament they came to with huge expectations.

“Controlling the landscape a little better, that’s what we have to do,” said the pilot. “Don’t let the scene control you.”

Leading batter José Altuve had one hit and two walks, but all of Venezuela’s runs were led by the bottom three of their offensive order – Santander, Suárez and Peralta.

Alcántara struck out two batters in a three-and-two-thirds inning effort, in which he allowed five hits and three runs.

José Ruiz took the win, striking out and issuing a ticket in two-thirds of an inning.

The Dominican Republic will rest on Sunday, while Venezuela take on Puerto Rico in an unbeaten duel in Group D.

López recalled that his team should open the Clásico against two of the best teams in Latin America.

“Venezuela showed a character of decision, determination and desire to advance as much as possible in this tournament,” he said.