Dutch hoofdklasse 2019: Neptunus swept by Pirates

After the losses on Tuesday and Wednesday, Curaçao Neptunus couldn’t avoid being swept by L&D Amsterdam Pirates. After yesterday’s close win (3-1), Pirates outscored (7-1) and outhit (10-4) Neptunus in their third consecutive win vs their big rivals. 

A surprising move by manager Brian Finnegan as he let reliever Jhan Rifaela start the game, as he copied the move that you see more often in the Major Leagues nowadays. In case of Rifaela, he can be used as a starting pitcher as well but so far this season he only performed as a reliever. Rifaela lasted 5.1 innings and needed 104 pitches. He gave up one run on two hits, seven walks and struck out four.

After a single to the shortstop, a stolen base, a fly out to right field and a sac fly to center field, Roelie Henrique scored the opening run. For the next two innings, neither team did score even though Neptunus had a huge opportunity in the second as it loaded the bases with only one out, but Jhan Rifaela pitched himself out of trouble by retiring the next two batters.

In the fourth, Pirates flexed its muscles. Back-to-back singles and a fielding error allowed Kenny Berkenbosch to score Pirates’ second run followed by runs scored on a single, a balk and a single through the left side.

In the bottom of the fourth, Neptunus eventually got on the board when it scored on a bases-loaded walk.

After a scoreless fifth, sixth and seventh inning, Pirates scored two more runs when Max Clarijs doubled to right field and drove in Rashid Gerard and Kenny Berkenbosch.

Despite giving up seven walks, Jhan Rifaela managed to pitch well enough for the win. Orlando Yntema took a rare loss after six innings in which he gave up five runs (three) earned on six hits and two walks and struck out five.

The best hitter for L&D Amsterdam Pirates was Niels van Weert who went 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Thanks to this sweep, Pirates has made a big jump in the standings and is trailing Neptunus by only two points now.

Standings after twelve rounds:

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