The Metropolitan Eagles of Panama, current champions of the Series of the Americas, secured their place in the semifinals of the tournament by defeating the Leones of León of Nicaragua by a score of 5-3 this Monday at the Monumental Stadium of Caracas.
Read also: Venezuela and the Dominican Republic will play for their lives on March 11th.
Panama opened the scoring in the second inning with a double by Carlos Sánchez that hit Edgard Muñoz, in the following inning, Brainer Bonaci hit a home run; his first in this Series of the Americas, while Ariel Serrano hit a ground ball to second base that allowed Carlos Quiroz to score in the fourth inning.
Nicaragua narrowed the gap in the fifth inning with a double RBI by Jesús López, but the Panamanian team extended their lead with a two-run double by Eduardo Vaughan, making the score 5-1.
Later, Oswaldo Arcia hit a two-run homer in the top of the eighth, reducing Nicaragua's deficit to two, but the Panamanian relief pitchers were able to restore order, seal the victory, and secure their place in the semifinals.
However, the victory went to Bryan Cáseres (1-0), who pitched six innings, allowing four hits, one run, two walks, and striking out six. The losing pitcher was Alfredo Villa (0-1), and the save went to Jorge Bautista (3).
Panama has two games left in the regular phase of this Americas Series, against Cuba this Tuesday and on Wednesday against Club DAOM of Argentina, remembering that the Panamanians could secure first place with a victory.
