2019 Pan American Games

The 2019 Pan American Games were held in Lima, Peru in July and August. 8 teams competed in baseball - host  Peru,  Argentina (winner of the 2018 South American Championship),  Puerto Rico and  Cuba (the top two teams from the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games) and four teams from the 2019 Pan American Games Qualifier ( Dominican Republic,  Colombia,  Nicaragua and  Canada). For the first time ever,  United States did not participate in the Games, instead saying they would focus on the 2019 Premier 12, an Olympic qualifier (the top two Pan American Games teams that did not play in the Premier 12 would also get shots at an Olympic qualifier). The other six teams from 2015 all returned.

New international game-pace regulations were put in place, with a 20-second pitch clock, 30 seconds for a mound visit, 90 seconds for a pitching change and 90 seconds between innings. These led to an average game time around 2 and a half hours, considered a success.

Unlike in 2015, there was no women's baseball event scheduled.

See 2019 Pan American Games (Rosters) for a list of players, managers and coaches.

Games

July 29

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Cuba	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	5	0
Colombia	0	0	3	0	0	0	1	2	-	6	10	1
Win: José Calero (1-0) Loss: Lázaro Blanco (0-1)

Colombia's continued ascent in international baseball crossed paths with Cuba's drop over the past 13 years. Four years after losing handily to Lázaro Blanco in the Pan American Games opener, Colombia chases him after 2 1/3 IP while José Calero allows a single run in 6 1/3 IP. C Christian Correa (3 H) and LF Efraín Contreras each drive in a pair, and Correa scores two. DH Stayler Hernández drives in SS Yordan Manduley with Cuba's only run.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	R	H	E
Argentina	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	1
Canada	0	1	0	4	0	0	2	3	10	12	0
Win: Philippe Aumont (1-0) Loss: Ezequiel Cufré (0-1)

The two-time defending champions cruised to an easy opening win. Philippe Aumont needed only 61 pitches (according to the Baseball Canada website, 60 according to the official Pan American Games site) in six shutout innings then RJ Freure closed out the mercy rule victory. RF Tristan Pompey goes 4 for 4 with two RBI, while C Jordan Procyshen doubles twice. 3B Agustín Tissera is the only Argentinian to reach twice.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Dominican Republic	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	4	10	11	0
Peru	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	3	7	1
Win: Ángel Castro (1-0) Loss: Ken Ishihara (0-1)

The hosts don't win their inaugural Pan American Games appearance in baseball but play competitively enough to avoid a mercy rule loss in taking a strong Dominican team with several MLB vets all the way. DH Ronny Paulino (3 R, 4 RBI), RF Willy Garcia (3 RBI) and SS Osvaldo Abreu (3 R) all have fine offensive days for the Dominicans, while Ángel Castro allows one run in 5 1/3 IP for the win. Peruvian starter Ken Ishihara held the Dominicans to 3 runs in the first six before tiring and the bullpen was not as effective. Seven players had hits for Peru while five of them produced runs, quite an improvement from their offensive showing in the 2017 Bolivarian Games.

July 30

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Puerto Rico	1	0	0	1	0	3	0	0	2	7	14	2
Nicaragua	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	3	3	4
Win: Giovanni Soto (1-0) Loss: Jorge Bucardo (0-1) Save: Freddie Cabrera (1)

The 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games champs start off strong. SS Ozzie Martínez scores 2 and drives in 2, DH Brahiam Maldonado raps 3 hits and Giovanni Soto turns in a strong start. Jorge Bucardo allows only 2 runs (1 earned) in 5 but his bullpen does not fare as well. RF Javier Robles drives in all 3 Nicaraguan runs.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Colombia	0	1	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	4	8	1
Argentina	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	2	8	1
Win: Randy Consuegra (1-0) Loss: Federico Tanco (0-1) Save: Horacio Acosta (1)

Argentina kept it close against a much stronger international power. Federico Tanco held Colombia to one run in the first five. Argentina got four hits and two walks in 2 1/3 IP off Hernando Chiquillo but failed to score. In the bottom of the 5th, LF Lucas Montalbetti drove in CF Sebastián García and 2B Jacinto Cipriota to put Argentina ahead. Tanco flagged in the 6th, though, and Colombia pulled ahead for good. 3B Derwin Pomare scored twice, DH Sneider Batista had 3 hits and SS Milton Ramos drove in two.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Canada	3	0	1	0	3	0	0	0	1	8	10	0
Cuba	2	0	0	2	2	0	0	0	0	6	11	1
Win: Ryan Kellogg (1-0) Loss: Yoanni Yera (0-1) Save: Dustin Molleken (1)

The only two countries to take a Pan Am baseball Gold since the 1970s squared off and the defending champions prevailed. LF Connor Panas hit a three-run homer in the first en route to a five-RBI day and 1B Jordan Lennerton drove in 3 without a hit. SS Wes Darvill had 3 hits and 3 runs while 3B Eric Wood also had three hits. Chris Leroux pitched shutout ball from the 6th through the 8th. CF Roel Santos scored a pair for Cuba. Canada locked up a spot in the super round (as did Colombia) while Cuba would fail to win a medal for the first time since 1959. This would thus be the first Pan American Games in which neither Cuba nor the US medaled in baseball.

July 31

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Nicaragua	0	0	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	4	8	1
Dominican Republic	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	12	4
Win: Wilton López (1-0) Loss: Randy Pérez (0-1) Save: Wilber Bucardo (1)

Nicaragua gets a big win, scoring twice early off José Acosta to chase him in the 3rd. Nicaragua uses a balanced offense, while former big leaguer Wilton López allows one run in four relief innings for the win. For the losing team, 1B Miguel Gómez and 2B Argelis Inoa each have three hits.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Cuba	4	4	0	1	1	0	0	10	14	1
Argentina	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	1
Win: Freddy Asiel Álvarez (1-0) Loss: Diego Echeverría (0-1)

Already eliminated from medal contention, Cuba pulls off a mercy rule rout for their first win. Knuckleballer Diego Echeverría, a former minor leaguer, only retires one of six batters in taking the loss while Freddy Asiel Álvarez scatters seven hits over six innings, walking none. SS Yordan Manduley (2 R, 3 RBI), LF Yurisbel Gracial (3 R, 2 RBI) and 1B Yordanis Samón (3 H, 3 RBI) all star for Cuba. CF Sebastián García gets two hits to lead Argentina.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Puerto Rico	1	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	4	11	1
Peru	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	6	2
Win: Fernando Cabrera (1-0) Loss: Edgar Paredes (0-1) Save: Fernando Cruz (1)

The home team does better against Puerto Rico than the far stronger Nicaraguan club had done. C Jorge Pastor had two hits for Peru while 3B Alexandre Moromizato had their lone run; Andrés Hamamoto threw three shutout innings of relief. Former big leaguer Fernando Cabrera allowed one unearned run in seven and another Fernando C., Fernando Cruz, saved it. CF Jay González had 3 hits for the victors.

August 1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Colombia	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	1	3	6	1
Canada	0	0	0	0	0	6	1	3	-	10	14	0
Win: Scott Richmond (1-0) Loss: Randy Cuentas (0-1)

With both teams already having locked up a super round spot, this game would give the victor a 1-0 record in the super round. Former major leaguer Scott Richmond allowed two run in seven but Canada trailed 1-0 entering the bottom of the 6th as Randy Cuentas had shut them down. RF Tristan Pompey singled in LF Connor Panas to tie it, then SS Wes Darvill added a grand slam off reliever Dewin Pérez to really help out. 1B Jordan Lennerton's 3-run homer in the bottom of the 8th provided plenty of insurance.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	R	H	E
Dominican Republic	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	6	0
Puerto Rico	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	7	2
Win: Fernando Cruz (1-0) Loss: Edgar García (0-1)

Puerto Rico finished the first round unbeaten with an extra-inning edging of the Dominicans. 3B Jeffrey Domínguez drove in SS Ozzie Martínez in the first for the only Puerto Rican run in seven innings against Carlos Pimentel. Luis Cintrón blanked the Dominicans for five before DH Ronny Paulino homered in the 6th to tie it. In the 10th, against Edgar García, Domínguez struck again, driving in backup C Wilfredo Rodríguez with the game-winner.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Peru	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2
Nicaragua	2	0	0	0	8	0	-	10	9	1
Win: Gustavo Martínez (1-0) Loss: Ken Ishihara (0-2)

After keeping it close the first two games, the hosts suffer a mercy rule rout in the 3rd game as Nicaragua moves on to the super round. Gustavo Martínez and Ernesto Glasgon combine on a two-hitter, with DH Jorge Pastor and 2B Roberto Ayarza getting Peru's only hits. Pitching on two days' rest, Ken Ishihara allowed two runs in the first four but fades in the fifth. 2B Ofilio Castro goes 3 for 4 with two RBI while 3B/1B Edgard Montiel has two runs and two RBI.

August 2

Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Peru	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	4
Argentina	2	7	0	11	-	20	19	1
Win: Lucas Ramón (1-0) Loss: Jonathan Farías (0-1)

After playing surprisingly well against the Dominicans and Puerto Ricans, the hosts have their worst beating in the 7th/8th place game. Argentina jumps on Jonathan Farías for 7 runs in 1 1/3. DH Nicolás Solari (4 R), CF Sebastián García (4 H) and RF Eduardo Zurbriggen (5 RBI) all star. Lucas Ramón, Guido Monis and Rodrigo Bruera pitch hitless, walkless ball through 4 before Peru avoids a no-hitter in the 5th when PH Diego Uezu doubles off Federico Robles with two outs. Daniel Shimura, who had been plunked, moves to third on Uezu's hit and scores on a balk by Robles.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Puerto Rico	0	1	2	0	0	1	0	4	0	8	10	0
Canada	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	4	0	5	10	1
Win: Miguel Martínez (1-0) Loss: Ryan Kellogg (0-1) Save: Fernando Cruz (2)

The two unbeaten teams squared off and Puerto Rico prevailed over the defending champs. 1B Kevin Luciano doubled off Ryan Kellogg in the 2nd and scored on an error by Kellogg on the next play. In the 3rd, DH Brahiam Maldonado smacked a two-run homer. Canada got their only run in six innings off Miguel Martínez as CF Michael Crouse homered. Edwin Gómez homered in the 6th to make it 4-1 and Puerto Rico really built their lead with a four-run 8th. That came up big when Canada came back for four of their own and loading the bases before Fernando Cruz fanned DH Rene Tosoni and Crouse.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Colombia	0	2	1	0	3	5	0	11	11	0
Nicaragua	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	4	3
Win: Ronald Ramírez (1-0) Loss: Jesus Garrido (0-1)

Colombia routed Nicaragua with a strong start from Ronald Ramírez and plenty of offense from C Christian Correa (3 H, 3 RBI), 3B Derwin Pomare (3 R, 3 H, 3 RBI) and LF Steve Brown (3 RBI). Nicaragua's only run came when RF Javier Robles drove in 1B Willie Vásquez. Jesus Garrido took the loss.

August 3

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	R	H	E
Cuba	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	9	9	1
Dominican Republic	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	9	10	14	2
Win: Huascar Brazoban (1-0) Loss: Frank Medina (0-1)

It was a disappointing tournament for both teams as Cuba had their worst finish ever (they had placed 4th in 1959 and the Dominicans finishing behind three teams they had outperformed in the 2019 Pan American Games Qualifiers. Cuba got ahead in the 2nd when 2B Carlos Benítez drove in DH Stayler Hernández off Ariel Peña. The Dominicans tied it in the 5th against Lázaro Blanco when CF Robelys Reyes drove home 3B Diego Goris. Neither team scored again until the 10th. Cuba seemed to easily put it away with 8 runs against Jhan Mariñez and Huascar Brazoban, but the Dominicans amazingly came back with 9 more off Raidel Martínez, Pedro Ángel Álvarez, Frank Medina, Wilson Paredes and Yudiel Rodríguez.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Nicaragua	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Canada	1	3	0	1	0	1	4	10	12	0
Win: Philippe Aumont (2-0) Loss: Elvin García (0-1)

Canada punched their ticket to their third straight Gold Medal Game as Philippe Aumont allowed only two hits and no walks in seven; CF Norlando Valle and LF Isaac Benard had back-to-back singles in the 4th for Nicaragua's offense. 2B Jonathan Malo scored three and drove in a pair.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Colombia	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	1
Puerto Rico	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	X	2	8	0
Win: Iván Maldonado (1-0) Loss: Jaider Rocha (0-1) Save: Fernando Cruz (3)

Iván Maldonado allowed only four hits and one run in eight, but fell behind in the 4th when C Christian Correa drove in CF Efraín Contreras. Meanwhile, Randy Consuegra blanked the unbeaten Puerto Ricans for five and Luis Yendis shut them out in the 6th. In the bottom of the 7th, C Wilfredo Rodríguez singled and was bunted over; Luis Cintrón (usually a pitcher) ran for him and scored on a sacrifice fly later in the inning by SS Ozzie Martínez. In the 8th, 1B Kevin Luciano drew a two-out walk and was doubled home by LF Edwin Gómez to put Puerto Rico ahead. Fernando Cruz locked it up for his third save.

August 4

• Bronze Medal Game

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Nicaragua	0	1	3	0	0	0	1	0	1	6	8	1
Colombia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	1
Win: Jorge Bucardo (1-1) Loss: Sugar Ray Marimón (0-1)

With both teams having locked up a spot in the Olympic qualifier, Nicaragua got a shutout win for the Bronze Medal. Jorge Bucardo (6 IP), Wilton López (2 IP) and Wilber Bucardo (1 IP) blank Colombia while Nicaragua chases former major leaguer Sugar Ray Marimón in the 3rd. CF Norlando Valle goes 4 for 4 for Nicaragua while CF Efraín Contreras goes 3 for 4 for Colombia.

• Gold Medal Game

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Canada	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	7	2
Puerto Rico	0	0	0	2	0	2	2	0	-	6	9	0
Win: Giovanni Soto (2-0) Loss: Chris Leroux (0-1)

Puerto Rico won its first Pan American Games Gold in baseball by topping the two-time defending champs. Giovanni Soto blanked Canada for the first five innings while RJ Freure shut out Puerto Rico for 3. Chris Leroux relieved Freure in the 4th; 1B Kevin Luciano doubled off him with one out, RF Jorge Padilla had a two-out RBI double and C Wilfredo Rodríguez singled in Padilla. In the 6th, Canada got their only run when DH Rene Tosoni doubled, SS Wes Darvill hit into a force to erase Tosoni and both RF Tristan Pompey and LF Connor Panas singled to make it 2-1. Bryan Escanio relieved and got 3B Eric Wood to hit into a force, then Efraín Nieves came on to retire 1B Jordan Lennerton to end Canada's best threat.

Puerto Rico got insurance in the bottom of the 6th. DH Brahiam Maldonado homered off Leroux, who hit Luciano next. After a bunt by LF Edwin Gómez, Will McAffer replaced Leroux. Rodríguez singled to put men on the corners and Padilla walked. 2B Luis Mateo singled for a 4-1 edge. In the 7th, they tacked on two more. Facing Evan Rutckyj, CF Jay González hit into an error by Wood. 3B Jeffrey Domínguez singled. A wild pitch advanced the runners and with two away, Gómez singled them both in. Meanwhile, Orlando Román, Rámesis Rosa and Fernando Cruz shut down Canada over the final three innings to put it away.

Primary Sources

• 2019 Pan American Games official site
• Baseball Canada