[dinosauryoshi]

World Series Game 5: Panama Hang on With Tight Victory

The Panama City Poets held off the London Gentlemen for a gritty 4–3 win in Game 5, cutting London’s series lead to 3–2 and sending the World Series back to Central America.

Panama’s ace Nelson Padilla (Honduras) once again rose to the moment. The 25-year-old right-hander — who led all qualified pitchers in ERA during the regular season at 0.85 — went 7.2 innings, giving up just two earned runs on nine hits while striking out four. It was Padilla’s second standout performance of the series and improved his playoff record to 5–0.

Offensively, the Poets found production up and down the order. Swiss veteran Jean Gonnet delivered the game’s opening run with a sacrifice fly, while Steve Bohn (USA) and Ju-zheng Ma (Taiwan) both added RBI hits. Harola Anekelea (Panama), who hit .306 with 28 homers during the regular season, chipped in a double and a run scored.

For London, Colt Ellertson (USA) continued his strong postseason with a triple and a two-run double. Jason Jones (USA) added a solo homer in the eighth to narrow the gap, but the Gentlemen ultimately stranded 11 runners. Hugh Wolf (Switzerland) took the loss, allowing four runs in 5.2 innings despite recording eight strikeouts.

The series now shifts back to Panama, where the Poets will look to even things up in Game 6.