Nicaragua keeps Guatemala winless
Lopez had his best game of the week, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored. The middle infielder led off the game with an infield single, moved to second on a groundout, took third on a balk and scored on Juan Oviedo's sacrifice fly to right field.
In the sixth inning, Lopez rapped a single up the middle, scoring Francisco Hernandez and Reymundo Leyton to give the visiting Nicaraguans a commanding 6-0 lead.
Oviedo was the only other member of his team with a multi-hit afternoon as he went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Estaly Loaisiga also knocked in a run with a first-inning double, Nicaragua's lone extra-base hit of the contest.
William Juarez (1-0) befuddled the Guatemalans through six scoreless innings, limiting them to four hits and a walk while striking out two. Alejandro Noguera and Juan Farrach each contributed a scoreless inning in relief of Juarez before Wilber Bucardo took over in the ninth and finished the game.
It was in the ninth that Guatemala broke up Nicaragua's shutout bid by taking advantage of an error. With one out, Jose Gandara hit a slow roller that Bucardo fielded and threw to second to force out Juan Orellana. Second baseman Isac Martinez attempted to complete the potential game-ending double play, but his throw to first was wild, allowing Gandara to reach second. Boris Bucaro then smacked a single into left field to plate Gandara before Bucardo ended the game by retiring Pablo Ramazzin on a groundout.
Hugo Pivaral (0-1) took the loss, giving up all six runs on seven hits and four walks in eight innings .
Both teams wrap up their week-long schedule of games on Saturday when Nicaragua hosts Mexico in Mesa. Winless Guatemala faces Panama in Phoenix, with both games starting at 3:05 p.m. ET.