(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photo by Henk Seppen)
  Tom de Blok returns to earlier team
Nederlands
  NORWICH, Connecticut / COMSTOCK PARK, Michigan (USA) -
Dutch professional pitcher Tom de Blok is back with the team where he made his professional debut this season after having pitched in one game for a lower-level team.
...Tom de Blok pitching for the Netherlands National Team...
...during the Haarlem Baseball Week 2016...
(© Photo: Henk Seppen) |
De Blok signed a contract with the Detroit Tigers towards the end of March, then reported early April at the Spring Training-facility pf the club in Florida.
On April 14, he was assigned to Connecticut Tigers, while remaining in Spring Training, as this team opened its season last week in Single-A Short Season.
Two weeks later, De Blok was assigned to West Michigan Whitecaps, which plays in Single-A (full season).
De Blok made his debut on May 2 and then pitched in three innings for the Whitecaps, striking out one batter and giving up one basehit.
In the following weeks, De Blok appeared in ten more games, all in relief.
On June 10, the righthander was assigned to Extended Spring Training for daily practice sessions without playing for a team.
Nine days later, De Blok was assigned to Connecticut Tigers, which plays in Single-A Short Season, which is a lower level.
After its season-opener rained out on Monday, the Connecticut Tigers opened its season on Tuesday (June 20) with a 9-0 shutout-win against Tri-City ValleyCats (Houston Astros).
On Wednesday (June 21), the Tigers played their next game against Aberdeen IronBirds (Baltimore Orioles).
In this game, Tom de Blok was the starting pitcher and made a good impression.
He threw 3 2/3 scoreless inning in which he struckout five batters, walked only one and also gave up only one basehit.
With a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning, De Blok walked a batter with one out, then followed by striking out Ryan Ripken for the second time.
As he was probably pitching on a pitch-count, his stay on the mound ended hereafter, as he was relieved by Felix Viloria.
The Tigers won the game with a 6-3 score, but as De Blok didn't pitch the required five complete innings for a starter to be named winner, he got a no-decision.
In the top of the sixth inning, Curaçao-born Kirvin Moesquit entered the game for Aberdeen as pinch-runner and stayed in the game as second baseman.
Also playing for Aberdeen was Ryan Ripken, the son of famous Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr..
In the top of the second inning, De Blok struckout the first baseman.
In that at bat, De Blok struckout three batters.
The next day (Thursday, June 22), De Blok was assigned again to the West Michigan Whitecaps, where he had started the season.
And so, De Blok had to travel back again from the east-coast to the Grand Rapids-area in the north to rejoin his former team.
(June 23)
Related Articles:
 Tom de Blok assigned to new team. (June 20)
Tom de Blok makes professional debut. (May 3)
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