Ex-Marlins pitcher Pablo Lopez sets tone for Venezuela’s pivotal win over Puerto Rico

Obvious emotions touched former Miami Marlins pitcher Pablo Lopez when he stepped on the mound at loanDepot park Sunday night.

Lopez made his first appearance with Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic a memorable one. The right-hander struck out six while allowing one run and two hits in 4 2/3 innings to help lead Venezuela to a 9-6 win over Puerto Rico in the Pool D game before a sellout crowd of 35,615.

Salvador Perez also will relish the victory that improved Venezuela to 2-0 in the group and in position to advance to the quarterfinals with one more victory. The Kansas City Royals catcher homered, doubled twice, singled and drove in five runs.

“The emotions were certainly elevated, I anxiously anticipated the start of the game but in a good way,” said Lopez, whose fastball topped at 97 mph. “I know the significance of wearing the Venezuelan jersey and what it represents. It truly filled me with pride when the game began.”

Lopez was staked to a quick cushion as Venezuela hit around in the first and tagged Puerto Rico starter Jose Berrios with four runs. Jose Altuve scored from second on Perez’s run-scoring single. Anthony Santander then sent Venezuelan fans into a frenzy with his three-run homer to right. The Baltimore Orioles outfielder also homered in Venezuela’s win against the Dominican Republic Saturday night.

The scoring onslaught continued in the second. Consecutive hits from Altuve and Arraez to lead off the inning ended Berrios’ outing. Perez connected with a three-run shot off reliever Fernando Cruz.

“After the big lead early, the plan was to attack the zone,” Lopez said. “As a starter your mentality is we score and they don’t. Keep your foot on the accelerator and deny opportunities to your opponent, although it is a talented opponent.”

During his years with the Marlins, Lopez rarely experienced the atmosphere in his home starts that he felt against Puerto Rico.

“A very electric setting from the moment I went out to warm up,” Lopez said. “You could feel the energy when the lineups were announced. Now I can say I experienced what participating in this event means.”

Eddie Rosario homered in the second for Puerto Rico’s only run against Lopez.

Venezuela, which finished with 12 hits, responded with David Peralta’s RBI single in the fourth and Perez’ run-scoring double to center that scored Ronald Acuña Jr. from first in the fifth.

Any ideas Puerto Rico had of using Rosario’s blast as a motivator to erase the deficit against Lopez where thwarted. Lopez retired nine of the final 10 batters he faced.

In the fifth, Lopez got two quick outs but was removed after 58 pitches.

Venezuela manager Omar Lopez repeatedly patted him on the chest while congratulating his starter. Lopez also received hugs from his infielders and Perez before he left the mound to a huge ovation.

“When I saw him come out of the dugout with a smile, I knew his decision was made,” Lopez said of his finish. “You try to think of words to persuade him otherwise but it’s understandable. This is an important tournament but also an extension to the preparation of a very long and intense season.”

The departure by Lopez prompted Puerto Rico to cut into Venezuela’s lead against reliever Andres Machado with a four-run sixth. Kike Hernandez and Emmanuel Rivera had run-scoring singles while Javier Baez hit an RBI groundout and Westminster Christian graduate MJ Melendez scored from third on Rosario’s sacrifice fly.

For Lopez, Sunday’s outing also began the separation from his five years as a member of the Marlins rotation. Further distancing will occur next month when Lopez returns to Miami for a regular season series with the Minnesota Twins, who acquired him in the off-season for Venezuela teammate and American League batting champion Luis Arraez.

The 27-year-old Lopez had the best season of his career in 2022 as he finished 10-10 with a 3.75 ERA in 33 starts. But as last season’s trade deadline neared, Lopez became a hot name in possible Marlins moves.

Although Lopez remained with the club the remainder of the season, Miami dealt him and two prospects to Minnesota on Jan. 20 as it hopes to fill an offensive void with Arraez.

Marlins brass likely gasped when Arraez favored his left arm after he collided with base runner Christian Vazquez while fielding third baseman Eduardo Escobar’s wide throw in the third. Venezuelan training staff tended to Arraez and he remained in the game.

With consecutive victories over the supposedly-stronger side of the group, Venezuela is nearing a quarterfinal berth. After a day off Monday, Venezuela will close its Pool slate of games against Nicaragua and Israel Tuesday and Wednesday.

“Even in our country we weren’t given much of a chance,” Omar Lopez said. “That just gave us the conviction to work harder. The guys are motivated to continue pushing forward.”