Brazil are now a win away from reaching their second ever World Baseball Classic after a rather convincing 4-1 victory over Nicaragua. If offense led the way against New Zealand, today it was pitching that led the verde amarelha to victory. They combined to allow four hits to a Nicaragua side that is expected to secure one of two spots in next year's main tournament.
The Brazilians got a run against former major leaguer J.C. Ramirez in the first courtesy an RBI groundout from Christian Lopes. A Melvin Noboa homer in the third tied it. In the fifth, Ramirez hit a wall. He loaded the bases and a Leonardo Reginatto single cashed in two, sealing his fate as the losing pitcher. Gabriel Maciel would double in another in the sixth to conclude the scoring. From there, impressive pitching from the Brazilians would see them through to victory.
On the pitching side, the starting effort of Felipe Sales was excellent. He punched out six and gave up but three hits in 4.1 innings of work. The bullpen would give up only one more hit and two walks the rest of the way. Of particular note was the effort of 18 year old Enzo Sawayama who pitched the final two innings for the save showing impressive stuff all the while.
Brazil will now face the winner of the Argentina-Panama game for their first WBC ticket since 2013. Nicaragua will try to get back on track against Pakistan in a do or die game for both sides. The Central American side will try to reestablish itself as a favorite to qualify by denying Pakistan a first ever WBC win. It should be an interesting tilt with pressure on both sides.
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