After Cuba fell to Germany, Japan and Italy, it also was beaten by the Netherlands tonight. Even though the score may indicate a close game, Cuba never really was dangerous. The Dutch won 6-4.
After Cuba took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, the Kingdom of the Netherlands bounced back in the second inning. Singles by Nick Urbanus, Denzel Richardson and Stijn van der Meer, an HBP for Rachid Engelhardt and a double by Dwayne Kemp drove in four runs for the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
In the meantime, Mike Bolsenbroek struggled a bit as he gave up three runs in four innings as he allowed three hits, a double and a home run. For manager Evert-Jan ‘t Hoen this was a reason to replace Bolsenbroek with Lars Huijer (normally a starting pitcher. Huijer lasted 2.2 innings. He cruised through the first two frames but in his third (the seventh inning of the game) he struggled somewhat as he gave up a single and hit a batter with a pitch. Once again, manager Van ‘t Hoen went to the bullpen and called for Jim Ploeger.
After Cuba came within one run of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Dutch started a rally in the bottom of the fourth. Three consecutive singles, an intentional walk and a sac fly drove in two runs.
After a scoreless seventh and eighth inning, Cuba inched closer as they scored a run on a solo home run by Lazaro Cedeno.
Because Bolsenbroek did not pitch enough innings to clinch the win so Lars Huijer was tabbed with the win. Huijer pitched 2.2 innings and allowed two hits and struck out three. Loek van Mil pitched one inning for the save.
Three hitters collected two hits out of four at-bats today and shared the honor of being the best batter: Dudley Leonora with one RBI, Max Clarijs and Stijn van der Meer, who drove in two and scored once.
Dutch Baseball Hangout 