… that one went entirely the other way. The Netherlands got a two-run lead in the second inning on a double down the third-base line by rookie Kalian Sams, but they fell behind in the next frame and never got back. Thanks mostly to a three-run homer in the third, a double and three singles in the fifth, a two-run homer in the sixth and a solo homer in the ninth, the Italians led 11-3 going into the final Dutch at-bat. Italian closer William Lucena retired the first two batters, then proceeded to give up a walk, a single, a double and another single to reduce the lead to 11-6. However, the next batter struck out to end the rally and the game.
Unsurprisingly, the Man of the Match came from the Italian side this time. Left fielder Maximiliano de Biase, jersey number 36 (must be a lucky number), earned the honours for his 3-for-5 day (a three-run homer, an RBI double and a single).
Game three has also been played by now, resulting in a 4-0 victory for the Dutch squad. I wasn’t there in person, so I’ll forgo further details. Both teams are flying to Italy tonight for the second three-game subseries. Let’s see if we can establish our European baseball supremacy by winning that one as well.
Monday, July 10, 2006 at 21:53
you know … my brother was always very good at baseball throughout school until he started playing (American) football in high school. I could be wrong, but I think he always had the same number - 36. Or was it 32? Now I’m curious. I’ll have to ask him!