Today's game was a pitching duel between Kevin Heijstek (Amsterdam) and Diegomar Markwell (Neptunus), who both went the distance.
Amsterdam outhit Neptunus 9-8.
Neptunus left a runner on first base in the first inning, then it was Pirates that got a chance of opening the score in the second at bat.
Bas Nooij led off with a single, but was forced out on a bunt by Remco Draijer.
The latter moved to third base on a single by Rashid Gerard.
Draijer then took off on a following grounder towards third base by Jesse Aussems and was eliminated.
Two runners stranded when Diegomar Markwell ended the inning by striking out Koen Nooij.
Pirates again got runners in scoring position in the third.
With one out, Michael Duursma and Nick Urbanus both singled, then moved on a grounder by Kenny Berkenbosch.
But they were left on second and third base when Markwell closed the inning with another strikeout, this time for Bas Nooij.
In the fourth, Pirates left a runner on second base when Markwell closed the inning for the third time with a strikeout.
After giving up a 2-out single to Raily Legito in the first inning, Kevin Heijstek retired the next 10 batters in a row.
In the top of the fifth inning, he gave up a lead-off double to Christian Diaz, who then advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Benjamin Dille and scored on a sacrifice fly by Rien Vernooij.
In the bottom of the fifth, Amsterdam came alongside immediately.
Linoy Croes led off with a single and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Michael Duursma and a grounder by Nick Urbanus.
Hereafter, Kenny Berkenbosch singled to bring in the tying run.
Neptunus re-took the lead in the sixth inning.
Dwayne Kemp led off with a single and Stijn van der Meer followed with a bunt-single.
Next, a bunt ended in a double play.
Raily Legito's sacrifice bunt-attempt first ended in a force out on third base, then there was time left enough to double up the veteran at first base.
Van der Meer had advanced to second base and then Gianison Boekhoudt walked.
Moments later, Christian Diaz singled to give Neptunus a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, Remco Draijer led off with a walk for Pirates, but was eliminated in an inning-ending double play.
Neptunus added an insurance run in the seventh.
Rien Vernooij led off with a bunt-single and moved on a sacrifice bunt by Shaldimar Daantji.
With two outs, he scored on a single by Dwayne Kemp.
After Kemp had stolen second base, Heijstek ended the at bat by striking out Stijn van der Meer, but Neptunus was now leading 3-1.
In the bottom of the seventh, Amsterdam got a chance of narrowing the deficit.
With one out, Linoy Croes and Michael Duursma singled, but the latter was forced out on a grounder by Nick Urbanus.
Two runners were left at first and third base when a foul-out ended the at bat.
It was to be the last scoring opportunity for the home team, as Markwell retired the side in the eighth and ninth inning to secure the win.
And with that, Neptunus is now back in business and has become a contender again for a spot in the Holland Series.
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Amsterdam Pirates again fails to secure Holland Series-spot
AMSTERDAM (Neth.) -
After losing the opener 7-1 on Friday, L&D Amsterdam Pirates also lost the second game of its 3-game series vs. Curaçao Neptunus on Saturday (August 29) with a 3-1 score.
