In the first six innings, only one run was scored, but despite that, it wasn't a pitching duel.
Starting pitchers Kyle Ward (Pirates) and Sander Helmendach (HCAW) both had a fine performance, but it was the defense of both teams that did the job.
The HCAW-outfielders made ten catches, the Amsterdam-outfielders eight.
Amsterdam took an 1-0 lead in the first inning, but that was to be all in the first six innings.
HCAW turned two double plays and especially centerfielder Boyd Tuhumury accounted for some plays.
The rookie made five nice catches in these six at bats, including a great catch on a fly by Bas Nooi in the fourth at bat.
The Amsterdam-defense retired 14 batters in a row from the second through sixth inning.
...Amsterdam-pitcher Kevin Heijstek shows...
...that it was a cold afternoon...
(© Photo: Alfred Cop Fotografie) |
Peter van Doesburg, who celebrated his birthday today, led off the game for HCAW with a single, but then was caught stealing after a pick-off, as he was ruled out for running out of line avoiding the tag.
In the bottom of the first, Amsterdam opened the score with an unearned run.
Roelie Henrique led off with a single, advanced on a passed ball and stole third base.
Michael Duursma then walked.
Hereafter, Nick Urbanus grounded into a double play, but that also brought in Henrique.
In the second inning, Jarreau Martina singled with one out for HCAW, but then Kyle Ward retired the next 14 batters in a row.
Amsterdam had runners on first and third base in the second inning, but then Helmendach ended the inning with two strikeouts.
In the fourth, HCAW turned another double play.
In the sixth, Nick Urbanus singled with one out, but was caught stealing on a close play at second base.
Hereafter, two runners stranded.
The minimal 1-0 lead proved to be not enough, as was underscored in the top of the seventh inning.
Daan Hendrix took over for Kyle Ward and began with a walk for Emersson Paula.
With one out, he got into scoring position when third baseman Jesse Aussems made an error on a grounder by Rowan van Hoek, then advanced on a force play-grounder by Jarreau Martina, then scored the tying run on a single by Raoell Kortstam.
A single by pinch-hitter Rossini Frolijk then loaded the bases and a walk for Max Clarijs gave HCAW a 2-1 lead.
But the three runners all stranded when a pop-fly ended the inning.
With that, HCAW failed to add more runs and take more distance.
Instead, it was now HCAW that held an one-run lead and this also was not enough.
Pirates reacted with four runs in the bottom of the seventh to take charge of the game again.
Jesse Aussems led off with a single and Patrick Bok walked.
Next, former HCAW-player Linoy Croes doubled down the rightfield-line to tie the score at 2-2.
Hereafter, Gijs van Els took over for Helmendach and loaded the bases by walking pinch-hitter Rashid Gerard.
Michael Duursma followed with a single down the leftfield-line to bring in two runs and make it 4-2.
Nick Urbanus then attempted a bunt, but that ended in an out als brought in another pitcher.
Tony Kreisel took over, got the second out thanks to an infield-fly, but then gave up a single to Remco Draijer that loaded the bases again.
A walk for Bas Nooij led to the next run and the next pitching change.
Bob Klaarenbeek became the fourth pitcher in this at bat and got a grounder from Aussems that ended the inning, leaving three runners behind.
Pirates added four more runs in the eighth.
Patrick Bok led off with a single and Linoy Croes walked.
Rikkert Kempen, who had just take over as first baseman, then made a throwing error on a grounder by Koen Nooij trying to eliminate Bok at third base, resulting in a run.
With two outs, a single by Kenny Berkenbosch brought in Croes, then Remco Draijer added a 2-run double down the leftfield-line to make it 9-2.
HCAW was held off base in the final two at bats.
Remco Draijer was 2-for-3 in this game to bring his league-leading total to 14 basehits.
Draijer also leads the league with a .636 batting average.
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Amsterdam rallies late twice to win vs. HCAW
AMSTERDAM (Neth.) -
L&D Amsterdam Pirates held a minimal 1-0 lead on a cold and rainy Sunday-afternoon (April 26), but that proved to be not enough.
HCAW scored twice in the seventh, but also left the bases loaded in this at bat.
