In game one of the World Baseball Classic qualifier taking place at Rod Carew Stadium in Panama, Team Colombia took down Team Spain by a 9-2 score.
Mets second baseman of the future Dilson Herrera is looked at like a veteran for Colombia because of his Major League playing experience and they are considered the favorite to win the group.
Colombia got off to a fast start against Spain scoring a run in the first and third innings before opening up a 5-0 lead with three more in the 5th. Spain made a game of it with a two spot in the bottom of the 6th inning only to see it turn into a blowout after allowing Colombia to get four runs in the 8th.
Herrera got the start at second and hit in the number two spot in the lineup. He went o for 2 but walked three times (one intentional), scored a run and knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly. He also had a good day in the field, making a nice diving play and looked very quick turning two different double plays. The announcers were gushing over his talent throughout the entire broadcast, calling him a “stop and watch” type player.
Mets prospect Luis Guillorme got the start at shortstop for Spain and also hit second in the order. He had a rough day at the plate, going 0 for 5 with five ground outs including two at Herrera. He had a good game in the field though making one great play in the hole to get a force out and another on a tough hop he had to back up on. He really is fun to watch play defense, has great instincts and his hands are lightning fast. Here you can watch one of his good plays.
Colombia will now move on to play Panama on Friday at 9 p.m. and Spain will play France at 2 p.m. in an elimination game. Team Panama blew out France 9-2 on Thursday with Mets pitching prospect Alberto Baldonado pitching a scoreless 8th inning with two strikeouts.Carlos Ruiz (Phillies) had a monster game for Panama with two homeruns and four RBI.
In the Mexicali bracket last night, Mexico defeated the Czech Republic by a 2-1 score with former Met Oliver Perez getting the save. Mets catching prospect Xorge Carrillo didn’t start but got came in as a pinch hitter and struck out. Mexico will take on Nicaragua, who beat Germany on a walk-off two-run double by Reds prospect Alex Blandino, tonight at 10:30 p.m. Germany and the Czech Republic will play the elimination game Fridat at 3:30 p.m.
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