European Cup 2014: Dutch convincing in five innings
The Dutch needed five innings tonight to beat the Czech Republic. No, it wasn’t a mercy rule victory. The game was called after five innings due to rainfall.
The Dutch had a score to settle. Two years ago, the Czechs beat the Dutch in overtime. This was the first win by the Czech Republic over the Netherlands.
Dutch starter, Diegomar Markwell started very well, retiring the side (with a fly out and two ground outs) in the top of the first inning.
The Dutch on their turn started a bit stiff. Leadoff hitter Randolph Oduber hit a sharp single down the left field line. Eventually he would advance on a single by Curt Smith to the Czech short stop Zyma, who committed an error on which Oduber scored the opening run. But that was about it in the first inning.
After Jakub Sladek led off the second inning for the Czechs and grounded out 2-4, Diegomar Markwell gave up a walk to Jakub Malik. The next batter, Marek Cervenka, grounded into a genuine inning ending “around-the-horn” double play (5-4-3).
In their second at bat, the Dutch stepped on it. Singles by Yurendell de Caster and Sharlon Schoop were followed by a groundout by Nick Urbanus (4-3). Both runners advanced a base on this ground out. When Randolph Oduber grounded out 5-3 and the runners stayed put, it looked like that the inning would pass without a run scored. But a single by Hainley Statia drove in both runners for the second and third Dutch run. Curt Smith eventually hit a solo shot over the left field fence to make it 4-0.
Dutch pitcher Diegomar Markwell was flat out dominant. In five innings of work he allowed only two hits. He gave up two walks and struck out two.
Despite having Shawn Zarraga in scoring position on second and Yurendell de Caster on first in the third inning, the Dutch didn’t cash in when Sharlon Schoop grounded into a double play. He hit the ball towards the pitcher who threw the ball to the shortstop for the force out at second and the shortstop tried to throw out Schoop at first. But Schoop beat the throw and was save on a fielder’s choice. Shawn Zarraga tried to take advantage of the double play at the other side of the infield and dashed towards home. But a strong throw by the first baseman to the catcher nailed Zarraga at home for the third out of the inning.
After a double, a walk and a hit-by-pitch, the Czech starting pitcher Marek Minarik loaded the bases in the fourth inning. The Czech manager decided to pull him in favor of Tomas Duffek. With a one strike count, Gianison Boekhoudt drove the ball towards left field for the sac fly. All three runners tried to advance. Randolph Oduber scored from third but Hainley Statia couldn’t beat the throw by left fielder Michal Ondracek and was thrown out at third.
Kalian Sams led off the fifth ining with a double down the left field line followed by a single through the middle by Shawn Zarraga. Yurendell de Caster drove in Kalian Sams but hit into a 4-3 double play. Sharlon Schoop grounded out 6-4 for the final out of the inning.
Then the umpires decide to hold the game due to the bad weather. Eventually the game was called and the second victory of the Dutch was a fact.
The two pitchers of the Czech Republic combined for eleven hits, six earned runs, two walks and two strikeouts.
Curt Smit was the best hitter for the Dutch. He went 2 for 2, with a homerun, and drove in three runs and scored a run himself.
As a team the Dutch collected eleven hits, including two doubles and a homerun. The Czech Republic got two hits. One of them was a double.
The Dutch passed this first serious test with flying colours. Tomorrow they will face Greece. It is not my intention to be arrogant, but normally this shouldn’t be a problem.