Twins and Amsterdam Pirates played an attractive game, which saw some fine defensive plays and was decided in the seventh and final inning.
Veteran Rob Cordemans started for Amsterdam Pirates and threw two innings.
This season, the 44-year old righthander can reach several milestones in his impressive career.
When the season opens on April 4, it will be his 26th in the Dutch big league.
Throughout the season, Cordemans can become the first pitcher in history to win 200 wins, strikeout 2,000 batters and pitch in 2,000 innings.
...Rashid Gerard scored the lone run...
...for Amsterdam Pirates...
(© Photo: Henk Seppen) |
Cordemans gave up one basehit, then was relieved by Kevin Heijstek in the third inning.
Tom Stuifbergen, who last season played for DSS, pitched the final two innings for Amsterdam and became the winning pitcher.
Twins-starter Jan Evertse also had a good outing and threw three scoreless innings.
Rookie Koen Postelmans then took over in the fourth.
Raf Cocu pitched the final two innings for Twins and gave up the lone run in the game.
While this was the first opportunity for Pirates to play a game and the second time for Twins, there was a remarkable fact in this game, as both team made no errors.
There were several good plays.
One of the innings ended when a Twins-runner was caught stealing at third base by Amsterdam-catcher Max Clarijs.
Also, Amsterdam-batter Linoy Croes hit a line drive to first baseman Shurman Marlin, who not only caught the ball, but was able to make an unassisted double play.
In the top of the seventh inning, Amsterdam Pirates scored its lone run.
Rashid Gerard led off and hit a pop-fly just behind pitcher Raf Cocu.
The ball dropped between Cocu and some infielders and so, Gerard reached on an infield-hit.
With two outs, Amsterdam got the bases loaded when Max Clarijs and Delano Selassa both walked.
Hereafter, Roelie Henrique hit a line drive towards first baseman Shurman Marlin.
He dove and was able to stop the ball, but couldn't eliminate Henrique, who reached on an infield-hit.
Gerard scored and while Marlin got back on his feet, Clarijs also tried to score, but was eliminated at the plate to end the inning.
Selassa and Henrique joined Pirates after having played for HCAW last season.
,,This was our first time outside, but this was a good game'', Amsterdam Head Coach Brian Finnegan stated afterwards.
In October, Finnegan succeeded Charles Urbanus, who had stepped down after having led the team for five seasons.
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Amsterdam Pirates nips Twins in Oosterhout
OOSTERHOUT (Neth.) -
L&D Amsterdam Pirates opened its exhibition season on Saturday (March 23) with a minimal 1-0 win against Twins Oosterhout.
The lone run was scored in the seventh and last inning of the game.
Exhibition Game.