www.grand-slam.nl	Baseball
	Headlines

Compiled and Copyright © 1997-2021 by Marco Stoovelaar

(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photos by Henk Seppen) Bogaerts and Simmons play in first game in Major League Spring Training; Apostel to Triple-A Nederlands FORT MYERS, Florida / SCOTTSDALE / SURPRISE, Arizona (USA) - On Friday (March 12), Xander Bogaerts (Boston Red Sox) and Andrelton Simmons (Minnesota Twins) played in their first game of this years Major League Spring Training-season. Sherten Apostel (Texas Rangers), Chadwick Tromp (San Francisco Giants) and Zander Wiel (Minnesota Twins) also played on Friday. For Simmons, this not only was his first game of this season, it also was his first game for his new team Minnesota Twins. As a Free Agent, Simmons signed an one-year contract with Minnesota in January after having played for Los Angeles Angels in the past five seasons. Before being traded to Los Angeles, Simmons had played four seasons fior Atlanta Braves. On Thursday (March 11), five players with a Dutch passport came into action: Ozzie Albies (Atlanta Braves), Didi Gregorius (Philadelphia Phillies), Carter Kieboom (Washington Nationals), Jurickson Profar (San Diego Padres) and Zander Wiel. Also on Thursday, Sherten Apostel was optioned to Round Rock Express, the Triple-A team of Texas Rangers. Despite that, he remains eligible to play for the Major League-team during Spring Training, which he did on Friday. Apostel played in five games so far and is 1-for-5 with two strikeouts. He made his debut in the Major League last year. (March 12) Related Articles: Hits for Kieboom, Hold for Jansen in MLB Spring Training. (March 10) Zander Wiel plays in first game in MLB Spring Training. (March 7) Profar and Tromp successful in MLB Spring Training. (March 6) Singles for Apostel, Albies & Gregorius in MLB Spring Training. (March 5) Albies homers; Run & RBI for Gregorius in MLB Spring Training. (March 3) Strong first outing Kenley Jansen in MLB Spring Training. (March 1) Tromp, Apostel first Dutch players in action in Spring Training. (February 28)

...Xander Bogaerts during the... ...2017 World Baseball Classic... (© Photo: Henk Seppen) Xander Bogaerts was sidelined with a sore right shoulder, but got his first at bats as designated hitter for Boston Red Sox in Friday's game (8½ inn.) against Tampa Bay Rays. Bogaerts didn't play defensively yet for Boston, which won 8-2. Afterwards, the short stop stated that he will be completely ready for Opening Day. At jetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Bogaerts started as DH and batted third in the batting order. In his first at bat in the first inning, he grounded out. Bogaerts led off the fourth inning, but then was struckout by reliever Trevor Richards. That also was his last at bat in the game. When it was Bogaerts turn again in the sixth, his spot was simply skipped, as no pinch-hitter was inserted. Later, an Extra Hitter was added to the batting order. During exhibition games, there are several options and rules that are not in use and are not allowed during the regular season. Such as the addition of an Extra Hitter. Christian Arroyo (2-run), Jonathan Arauz (2-run) and Michael Davis (3-run) all homered for Boston and accounted for seven of the eight runs the team scored.

At Hammond Stadium at the CenturyLink Sports Complex in Fort Myers, Andrelton Simmons played in his first game for his new team Minnesota Twins. ...Andrelton Simmons in the... ...2017 World Baseball Classic... (© Photo: Henk Seppen) Simmons started as short stop and batted second for Minnesota in a 8-5 loss in a home-game (8 innings) against Atlanta Braves. Minnesota trailed 3-0, but rallied for five runs in the fourth inning. Atlanta then re-took the lead by scoring three runs in the seventh and added two more in the eighth. In his first at bat, facing starting pitcher Huascar Ynoa, Simmons hit a comeback-grounder. That brought Luis Arraez, who had led off with a double, to third base, but he stranded there. In his second at bat, Simmons grounded out again to close the third inning. Twins then rallied for five runs in the fourth inning. All nine players in the batting order batted, but the inning ended when Simmons flied out. In the top of the fifth, Simmons was replaced by Andrew Romine. In the bottom of the fifth, Zander Wiel was inserted as pinch-runner for Nelson Cruz, who had led off with a single. Wiel was forced out later on second base, then became the new designated hitter in the top of the sixth. In his lone at bat, Wiel popped out in the seventh inning. Trailing 5-3, Atlanta took a 6-5 lead in the seventh when Sean Kazmar hit a 3-run homerun.

At Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Sherten Apostel played for Texas Rangers in a 3-2, 8½ inning victory at home against Chicago White Sox. In the bottom of the seventh, with Chicago leading 2-0, Ronald Guzman doubled with one out for Texas. Apostel was inserted as pinch-runner and then advanced on a double by Anderson Tejeda. With two outs, the bases got loaded when Jason Martin walked. But the three runners were left behind, as a pop-fly ended the at bat. Apostel stayed in the game and became the new first baseman in the top of the eighth. In the bottom of the eighth, Texas was more successful. The team came alongside on a 2-run homerun by Steel Walker. With one out, Andy Ibanez doubled, but hereafter, Apostel struckout. A walk and hit battter then loaded the bases. Texas took a 3-2 lead when Jason Martin also walked.

At Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Chadwick Tromp singled and scored for San Francisco Giants in a 9-8 win at home in an 8-inning game against Colorado Rockies. In the top of the sixth, with a 4-4 score, Tromp entered the game as catcher, replacing Buster Posey. In the bottom of the sixth, San Francisco took a 5-4 lead, but Colorado answered with a 4-run rally in the top of the seventh. In the bottom of the seventh, it was San Francisco that scored four runs. Logan Wyatt led off with a walk, then Tromp singled in his lone at bat in the game and Patrick Bailey also walked. With one out, two more walks led to two automatic runs, which were scored by Wyatt and Tromp. A following single by Arismendy Alcantara then put San Francisco ahead, 9-8.

Thank you for visiting this site. Mail your suggestions and questions to stoov@wxs.nl Copyright © 1997-2021 Marco Stoovelaar / Grand Slam * Stats & News.