2005 Baseball World Cup
From BR Bullpen
The 2005 Baseball World Cup was won by Cuba, the 9th consecutive Baseball World Cup won by that country. Held in The Netherlands, the tournament was seen by over 135,000 fans. The home country had its best showing ever in the tourney, finishing fourth and the Dutch team made the semifinals for the first time in history.
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[edit] Teams
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Australia, managed by Jon Deeble, had done okay with a 4-4 record. Trent D'Antonio (.556/.556/1.111) and Brendan Kingman (.429/.500/.476) were the top hitters while Luke Hughes went just 1 for 15. Paul Mildren (1-0, 1.46) and Adam Bright (1-0, 1.50) led the staff.
Brazil, managed by Mitsuyoshi Sato, had picked up a couple wins and had an All-Tourney player in CF Tiago Magalhaes (.414/.500/.621). DH Renan Sato hit .375/.400/.625 to also provide some punch.
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Canada, managed by Jim Baba, hit .322, second only to Cuba, but poor defense hurt and their pitching could not compete with the top four teams in their pool. Leading the fine offense was 1B-DH Joey Votto, who hit .333/.371/.833 with 10 runs, 5 home runs (second in the tourney) and 16 RBI.
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People's Republic of China, managed by Jim Lefebvre, almost got to a .500 mark. Zhe Chen batted .375/.444/.542 to lead the offense, while Jiangang Lu (1-1, 2.25) was the top pitcher. Jianwang Zhang allowed 13 runs in 3 2/3 IP.
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Colombia, managed by Jhonny Pantoja, was led by OF Hamilton Sarabia (.333/.484/.542, 6 R) and Roque Roman (1-1, 2.51). Jhon Silva (0-1, 27.00) was one of four hurlers with ERAs over 9 and several players hit .100 or lower.
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Cuba, managed by Higinio Vélez, lived up to their pre-tourney status as favorites, outscoring opponents almost 5 to 1. Among the stars were MVP Eduardo Paret (.632/.714/1.105, 12 R, 8 SB), home run leader Yulieski Gourriel (.319/.385/.894, 8 HR, 12 R, 19 RBI), RBI leader Michel Enriquez (.500/.558/.739, 20 RBI), Pedro Luis Lazo (2-0, 2 Sv, 0.54, 27 K, 1 BB, 7 H in 16 2/3 IP) and Ormari Romero (0 R, 4 H, 10 K in 8 IP, 1-0).
Czech Republic, managed by Arnost Nesnal, slugged only .196 as a team, scored the fewest runs and allowed the most. They tied with Sweden with fewest homers (0) and were second in errors (20). LHP Michael Koci had a 1.80 ERA while pitching in every game, one of their few bright spots.
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Japan, managed by Yasuhiko Sugimoto, was second to Cuba in fewest runs allowed (25) and made just three errors, half of Cuba's total. C Tsutomu Takanezawa (.375/.448/.875, 4 HR, 6 R, 8 RBI) and OF Keiji Ikebe (.333/.463/.758, 4 HR, 11 R, 10 RBI) guided the offensive onslaught, while the pitching was anchored by Shinsuke Saito (3-0, 0.82), one of four hurlers with ERAs under 1.
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Netherlands, managed by Robert Eenhoorn, scored 97 runs, two less than tournament leader Cuba. OF Danny Rombley hit .500/.609/.778 with 9 runs and 1B Percy Isenia batted .289/.400/.632 with 7 doubles, 11 runs and 8 RBI. OF Eugene Kingsale (.250/.327/.292) scored 14 while C-DH Sidney de Jong (.289/.449/.474) drove in 17, third in the Tournament. Dave Draijer allowed no runs in 6 2/3 relief innings, saving one game, while Diegomar Markwell (2.01) tied for the tourney lead with a 3-0 record.
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Nicaragua, managed by Jorge Fuentes, went 6-2 to tie for second in pool B with a big rout of the USA, but lost games in the quarterfinals and 5th-round game for a sixth-place finish. OF Anibal Vega hit .370/.481/.553 with 10 walks, while Jenrry Roa hit .457/.483/.543 with 12 RBI and was second in the tournament in average. Oswaldo Mairena (1-1, 1 Sv, 1.69) and Olman Rostran (1-0, 1.80) were the ace pitchers.
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Panama, managed by Karl Heron, took home the bronze medal despite a slight +8 edge in run differential (65-57). OF Freddy Herrera (.389/.476/.639, 10 R, 10 RBI) made the All-Tournament team while 1B Audes de Leon also hit well (.368/.467/.526, 9 R, 8 RBI). Ramon Ramirez (2-0, 1.13, 20 K, 10 H in 16 IP) and Miguel Gomez (2-0, 3 Sv, 0.49) provided excellent pitching.
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Puerto Rico Puerto Rico, managed by Bert Pena, went 6-5 despite being outscored overall, 60-56. They finished 8th overall. Ex-major leaguer Angel Echevarria hit a horrid .083/.241/.125 as the weak link on a decent offense. Randy Ruiz (.346/.452/.654), CF Jesus Feliciano (.378/.410/.649, 10 R, 9 RBI) and Edwards Guzman (.343/.375/.543) led the offense. Orlando Roman (2-0, 0.50) was their clear top starter as 4 pitchers had ERAs over 8.
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South Africa, managed by Angelo Couvaras, was 15th in offense (2 runs ahead of the last-place Czechs) and 14th in pitching/defense for the 0-8 team. Warren Herman hit .353/.389/.353, while Carl Michaels (0-2, 2.74) was the staff ace; 11 of their 14 pitchers had ERAs over 7.
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South Korea, managed by Jung-Taik Kim, was a surprise second-place finisher as their run differential for the tourney was just +17, less then Canada, Nicaragua, Japan, the Netherlands, Cuba and the USA, putting them 7th in the 16-team field. Sang-hyeon Kim batted .393/.433/.714, but the strength was their staff, which had 6 of 9 hurlers with ERAs under 2. Dae-woo Kim (1-1, 0.00, 7 H, 18 K in 15 1/3 IP) led the tournament in ERA, followed by Sung-kwui Yun (1-0, 0.00, 1 H, 11 K in 9 IP).
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Spain, managed by Jake Molina, went 2-6 and was outscored 61-32, but was not awful in any one area. Dewis Navarro (.313/.476/.688) led the offense, while Carlos Ros (2-0, 3.00) got both their wins.
- Template:Country data SWE, managed by Peter Schöön, managed one win and was outscored 88-22. They allowed the second-most runs, better only than the Czech Republic, giving up 11 per game. They also led the Cup tournament with 24 errors and their .918 team fielding percentage was the lowest. Eight of their 11 pitchers had ERAs over nine.
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Chinese Taipei, managed by Chih-Shien Yeh, slugged .500 as a team and outscored their opponents by 9, yet had a losing record. OF Chun-Yu Kuo (.370/.425/.815) blasted four home runs, third in the tournament, scored 7 and drove home 9. Ying-Feng Tsai (1-1, 1.88) was their top pitcher.
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United States, managed by Davey Johnson, was 4th in offense but hampered by a weaker pitching staff in the worst finish by an American team in the Cup since they had begun using minor leaguers. 3B Mike Cervenak (.368/.455/.816, 12 R, 4 HR) was the star on offense, while Jared Wells (2-0, 1.64) led the staff. Brian Bannister (1-2, 9.69) did not look like the ace he was expected to be.
[edit] Round-Robin Games
[edit] September 2
Game 1 in Neptunus Familiestadion
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 5 |
| The Netherlands | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 15 | 0 |
| Win: Cordemans (1-0) Loss: Wang (0-1) | |||||||||||
The tournament began with an easy matchup for the hosting team. 2B Michael Duursma (3 for 4, BB, 3 R) and 3B Ivanon Coffie (3 for 5, 4 RBI, 2B, HR) led the Dutch offense while Rob Cordemans allowed one run in five in the mismatch.
[edit] September 3
Game 2 in Neptunus Familiestadion
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Netherlands | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 18 | 14 | 0 | |
| Sweden | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | |
| Win: Bergman (1-0) Loss: Vesterlund (0-1) | |||||||||||
In game two, the Dutch had an even easier opponent in a second rout. David Bergman faced two more than the minimum while #7 hitter Percy Isenia scored five runs.
Game 3 in Pim Mulier Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuba | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 13 | 0 | |
| South Africa | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | |
| Win: Palma (1-0) Loss: Brandt (0-1) | |||||||||||
3B Yulieski Gourriel homered twice, drove in five and scored three to pace Cuba in their first game to defend their title.
Game 4 in Sportpark Ookmeer
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 1 |
| South Korea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| Win: Medina (1-0) Loss: Kim (0-1) Save: Gomez (1) | ||||||||||||
The tourney's ERA leader Dae-woo Kim was knocked out in the second inning, allowing three unearned runs thanks to an error by SS Yeun-hun Kim. 2B Jaime Jaen went 3 for 5 with a home run to lead the Panamanian offense while Rafael Medina and Miguel Gomez combined on the five-hitter.
Game 5 in Sportpark 'De Heihoef'
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 6 |
| China | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 3 |
| Win: Zhao (1-0) Loss: Sakane (0-1) | ||||||||||||||||||
In a heart-breaker for Brazil, they scored for the first time in 9 innings when they got one across in the 15th, only to have Márcio Sakane allow two in the bottom of the inning after 5 scoreless relief innings. Brazilian DH Renan Sato went 4 for 7 with 2 runs and 3 RBI and was a double shy of a cycle.
Game 6 in Neptunus Family Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| Taiwan | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | - | 10 | 13 | 2 |
| Win: Tsai (1-0) Loss: Prochazka (0-1) | ||||||||||||
In another mismatch, 2B Yung-Chi Chen led the Taiwanese offense by going 3 for 5 with 2 runs and an RBI, while three hurlers combined to two-hit the Czech team. The Czech outfit was hampered by bad play on all ends, especially on defense, where 7 players combined to make 8 errors.
Game 7 in Pim Mulier Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 3 |
| Australia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 4 | 8 | 0 |
| Win: Stephens (1-0) Loss: Velazquez (0-1) | ||||||||||||
While Australia got fewer hits, they had a balanced attack to piece together three runs in the fifth, enough of a cushion as John Stephens allowed no runs through 7 and Adrian Burnside pitched a scoreless 8th before the Puerto Ricans tagged Phillip Stockman for two late home runs.
Game 8 in Fanny Blankers Koen Sportpark
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 0 |
| Spain | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Win: Saito (1-0) Loss: Magallon (0-1) | ||||||||||||
Shinsuke Saito struck out 12 in 7 innings to keep Spain out of this game while DH Yohei Kaneko went 2 for 3 with a walk, RBI and three runs to lead the Japanese offense as they claimed their opener.
[edit] September 4
Game 9 in Neptunus Familiestadion
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Netherlands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | - | 6 | 7 | 0 |
| Win: Markwell (1-0) Loss: Lee (0-1) | ||||||||||||
The South Koreans dropped their second in a row when reliever Dae-hwan Lee allowed 4 runs in one inning of relief, walking three. It was a balanced attack by the Netherlands, with DH Sidney de Jong and backup LF Danny Rombley each driving in two in the contest. Diegomar Markwell had a solid game, allowing five hits and two runs in 7 innings, to pick up the victory.
Game 10 in Pim Mulier Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Brazil | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Win: Vianna (1-0) Loss: Michaels (0-1) Save: Miyamoto (1) | ||||||||||||
1B Nicholas Dempsey singled in CF Marvin Jonathan in the first, but South Africa didn't get any more hits or runs in this loss, as Brazil won despite getting just four hits in the pitching duel.
Game 11 in Sportpark Ookmeer
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 0 |
| Puerto Rico | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | - | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Win: Arroyo (1-0) Loss: Sakomoto (0-1) Save: Alberro (1) | ||||||||||||
Three batters into the bottom of the first, RF Edgar Velazquez hit a three-run homer which would leave Japan trying to come back all day long. They kept stranding runners, though, and Puerto Rico tacked on a couple more to emerge with a 5-4 win. Japanese LF Keiji Ikebe went 3 for 5 with a run to lead their team.
Game 12 in Fanny Blankers Koen Sportpark
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | ||
| Canada | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 14 | 1 | ||
| Win: Mathieson (1-0) Loss: Hoglund (0-1) | ||||||||||||
1B Greg Morrison went 2 for 4 with 2 homers, 4 RBI and 3 runs and outfielder Jeremy Ware was 3 for 4 as Canada pulled off a rout in their first game.
Game 13 in Neptunus Familiestadion
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 12 | 1 | |
| Czech Republic | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 3 | |
| Win: Ros (1-0) Loss: Kubat (0-1) Save: Belmonte (1) | ||||||||||||
Spain scored almost half of the 32 runs they would muster over 8 games in this one contest, with a fine team effort smacking away at the Czech pitchers. Czech starter Leos Kubat, who has pitched in the Hoofdklasse Honkbal, was roughed up for 9 runs in 3 innings.
Game 14 in Pim Mulier Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuba | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 1 |
| Panama | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
| Win: Lazo (1-0) Loss: Bethancourt (0-1) | ||||||||||||
A two-run homer by Panamanian DH Earl Agnoly in the 4th had the Cubans trailing entering the sixth, but they rallied late to win handily. SS Eduardo Paret homered, doubled twice and singled in five at-bats, scoring two runs and driving in three to lead the Cuban comeback, while Pedro Luis Lazo pitched five scorless relief innings, striking out eight.
Game 15 in Fanny Blankers Koen Sportpark
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| Nicaragua | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Win: Hansack (1-0) Loss: Lindsay (0-1) (1) Save: Mairena (1) | ||||||||||||
Devern Hansack and Oswaldo Mairena combined to shutout the Aussies and struck out 9 in the win for the Nicaraguans. Catcher Marlon Abea's 2-run homer provided all of the day's offense in the second inning.
Game 16 in Sportpark 'De Heihoef'
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | ||
| USA | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | - | 12 | 12 | 1 | ||
| Win: Bannister (1-0) Loss: Silva (0-1) | ||||||||||||
The USA started quickly, scoring six in the first, and never looked back in their first contest. 3B Mike Cervenak went 2 for 3 with a homer, 4 runs and 3 RBI while 1B Bryan LaHair went 4 for 4 with 4 RBI and two doubles.
[edit] September 5
Game 17 in Neptunus Familiestadion
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | ||
| Japan | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | - | 19 | 20 | 0 | ||
| Win: Takeda (1-0) Loss: Toufar (0-1) | ||||||||||||
The Japanese team had the biggest rout of the tourney to this point as 11 different players scored for them. Starter Masaru Takeda allowed one hit and had 11 strikeouts in five innings, while LF Keiji Ikebe went 3 for 4 with a walk, 4 runs and 3 RBI, finishing a triple shy of a cycle.
Game 18 in Pim Mulier Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taiwan | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 18 | 1 | ||
| Spain | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 | ||
| Win: Tseng (1-0) Loss: Magallon (0-2) | ||||||||||||
DH Kuo-Hui Lo went 4 for 4, CF Chun-Yu Kuo homered twice and RF Chih-Yao Chan also picked up four hits as Taiwan routed the Spaniard entry.
Game 19 in Sportpark Ookmeer
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 14 | 0 | |
| Colombia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | |
| Win: O.Roman (1-0) Loss: Roman (0-1) | ||||||||||||
Both clubs used starters named Roman, but the outcome was very different. Orlando Roman tossed a shutout and whiffed 7 while Roque Roman allowed 6 runs in five innings. CF Jesus Feliciano went 3 for 5 with a double, two runs and an RBI to spark the Puerto Rican charge.
Game 20 in Sportpark 'De Heihoef'
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 2 |
| South Korea | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | 7 | 10 | 4 |
| Win: S. Lee (1-0) Loss: Ogiltree (0-1) Save: D. Lee (1) | ||||||||||||
Canadian cleanup hitter and 1B Joey Votto went 3 for 4 with two homers and 4 RBI but was matched by South Korean 1B Jung-kwon Park, who homered twice in three at-bats and drove in five and Korea pulled out a 7-6 win after starting the tourney with back-to-back defeats.
Game 21 in Neptunus Family Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | ||
| Cuba | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 11 | 9 | 2 | ||
| Win: Gonzalez (1-0) Loss: Maciel (0-1) Save: Betancourt (1) | ||||||||||||
No one player stood out for the Cubans as they won another game easily.
Game 22 in Pim Mulier Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 1 |
| Australia | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 1 |
| Win: Haines (1-0) Loss: Burnside (0-1) Save: Mobley (1) | ||||||||||||
A back-and-forth affair so Australia match the Americans every time they scored except for the last - superior power by the USA proved the edge in a 4-1 difference in homers. DH Bryan LaHair homered twice, while Australia was led by their DH, Brett Roneberg (2 for 3, a walk, 2 runs, a homer).
Game 23 in Fanny Blankers Koen Sportpark
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 12 | 0 |
| South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Win: Lu (1-0) Loss: Smith (0-1) | ||||||||||||
1B Zhe Chen, hitting 9th, went 3 for 4 with two doubles, a walk and 3 RBI while China used a balanced offense and fine pitching to cruise past South Africa.
Game 24 in Sportpark 'De Heihoef'
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 2 |
| Sweden | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | ||
| Win: Ramirez (1-0) Loss: Tisell (0-1) | ||||||||||||
RF Freddy Herrera went 3 for 4 with two runs, 3 RBI and a double while Ramon Ramirez struck out 10 in a complete game victory.
[edit] September 6
Game 25 in Neptunus Familiestadion
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | ||
| Cuba | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | - | 15 | 12 | 0 | ||
| Win: Montieht (1-0) Loss: Eriksson (0-1) | ||||||||||||
3B Yuliesky Gourriel homered twice for Cuba in their 15-0 thumping of the Swedes. Starter Frank Montieht struck out 11 in six scoreless frames of work.
Game 26 in Pim Mulier Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | ||
| Canada | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | - | 12 | 14 | 0 | ||
| Win: Wideman (1-0) Loss: Mauritz (0-1) | ||||||||||||
DH Joey Votto kept on hitting, going 2 for 3 with 4 RBI and another home run, while IF Lee Delfino went 2 for 3 with a walk, 3 runs and 2 RBI as Canada easily took this contest.
Game 27 in Sportpark Ookmeer
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Japan | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 13 | 0 | ||
| Win: Doi (1-0) Loss: Rojano (0-1) | ||||||||||||
2B Daisuke Kusano drove in five and was a triple shy of a cycle while Yoshikazu Doi hurled a four-hit shutout for the Japanese club as three of the four afternoon games of September 6 ended with victory margins of 10 or more.
Game 28 in Sportpark 'De Heihoef'
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 1 |
| Taiwan | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 1 |
| Win: Diaz (1-0) Loss: Chen (0-1) Save: Villegas (1) | ||||||||||||
Chun-Yu Kuo smacked a 3-run homer and 2B Yung-Chi Chen hit a solo shot for the Taiwanese club to put them ahead 4-3 entering the 7th but Puerto Rico RF Edgar Velazquez hit a 3-run jack of his own to give the Puerto Rican club a close win. 3B Edwards Guzman went 2 for 4 with a homer for Puerto Rico as well.
Game 29 in Neptunus Familiestadion
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 3 |
| China | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 1 |
| Win: Gonzalez (1-0) Loss: Wang (0-2) Save: Gomez (1) | ||||||||||||
Panama had to sweat out a close one; they were led by the efforts of DH Earl Agnoly (3 for 4) and RF Freddy Herrera (2 for 3, 2 R, BB, HR). LF Qi Chen went 3 for 4 for China in the defeat.
Game 30 in Pim Mulier Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| Netherlands | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | - | 7 | 9 | 0 |
| Win: Beljaards (1-0) Loss: Imai (0-1) | ||||||||||||
Patrick Beljaards and Michiel van Kampen teamed up on a 4-hit whitewash of the Brazilians. Dutch RF Dirk van 't Klooster went 3 for 4 while DH Sidney de Jong homered and drove in three.
Game 31 in Sportpark Ookmeer
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | ||
| USA | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 14 | 1 | ||
| Win: Wells (1-0) Loss: Olivera (0-1) | ||||||||||||
LF Jeffrey Deardorff and DH Josh Phelps both went 3 for 4 for the US while four players went deep, CF Lastings Milledge doing so twice, in another home run-powered win.
Game 32 in Sportpark 'De Heihoef'
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Nicaragua | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 1 |
| Win: Raudez (1-0) Loss: Budsky (0-1) Save: Sevilla (1) | ||||||||||||
The Czechs played their closest game in a tough competition against a strong Nicaraguan club. The game's only run came on a 4th-inning homer by Anibal Vega, the Nicaraguan left fielder.
[edit] September 7
Game 33 in Neptunus Family Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicaragua | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 1 |
| Spain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 2 |
| Win: Murillo (1-0) Loss: Belmonte (0-1) | ||||||||||||
DH Jenrry Roa went 3 for 5 with two RBI and a run as the Nicaraguans again struggled with a low-rated opponent.
Game 34 in Pim Mulier Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 10 | 1 |
| Puerto Rico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 3 |
| Win: Michalak (1-0) Loss: Matos (0-1) | ||||||||||||
The US got outhomered 4-1 this time, but made up for it by drawing 3 more walks (9-6) and hitting five more doubles. RF Chris Latham (2 for 3, BB, SB, 2 R, 4 RBI, HR) and C Rob Johnson (2 doubles, 4 RBI) led the offense for the Americans.
Game 35 in Sportpark Ookmeer
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuba | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 19 | 0 |
| China | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 2 |
| Win: Betancourt (1-0) Loss: Zhao (1-1) | ||||||||||||
In a surprisingly close game, China did a good job against the Cuban hurlers with 2B Guangbiao Liu and C Yi Feng each going 3 for 4. Feng doubled, tripled, scored twice and drove home two. Cuba DH Michel Enriquez went 4 for 6 with a home run and five RBI to help his club remain unbeaten.
Game 36 in Fanny Blankers Koen Sportpark
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 0 |
| Taiwan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 2 |
| Win: Isomura (1-0) Loss: Huang (0-1) | ||||||||||||
Japan used a well-rounded offensive effort to stop another Asian outfit in this game.
Game 37 in Neptunus Family Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 3 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 20 | 14 | 0 | ||
| South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 2 | ||
| Win: Smit (1-0) Loss: Dancer (0-1) | ||||||||||||
Four Dutch players scored three times, while DH Sharnol Adriana drove in six runs as the home team shredded the South Africans.
Game 38 in Pim Mulier Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
| Panama | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | 13 | 21 | 2 |
| Win: Herrera (1-0) Loss: Alexander (0-1) | ||||||||||||
Bad defense (5 errors, 6 unearned runs) and bad pitching cost the Canadians as Panama put this one away early. The Panamanians had four players with three hits. 1B Audes de Leon drove in four and scored twice for the victors.
Game 39 in Fanny Blankers Koen Sportpark
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 15 | 0 | ||
| Czech Republic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Win: Bright (1-0) Loss: Homolka (0-1) | ||||||||||||
Backup catcher Trent D'Antonio singled, doubled, homered, scored three and drove in three and the Aussies kept the Czech bats in check in an easy win.
Game 40 in Sportpark 'De Heihoef'
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 0 |
| Brazil | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Win: Yun (1-0) Loss: Matumoto (0-1) Save: Choi (1) | ||||||||||||
South Korean hurlers Sung-kwui Yun and Dae-sung Choi combined for 14 strikeouts in shutting out the Brazilians. SS Yeun-hun Kim reached base three times for the Koreans and scored twice.
[edit] September 8
Game 41 in Sportpark Ookmeer
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicaragua | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 11 | 2 | |
| Colombia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | |
| Win: Sanchez (1-0) Loss: Caballero (0-1) | ||||||||||||
3B Norman Cardoze homered and drove in five to help the Nicaraguans in their rout of Colombia in the only game of the day.
[edit] September 9
Game 42 in Neptunus Family Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicaragua | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 20 | 2 |
| USA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 1 |
| Win: Mairena (1-0) Loss: Bannister (1-1) | ||||||||||||
Former Florida Marlins reliever Oswaldo Mairena shut down the US bats except for a two-run homer by Lastings Milledge in the 7th. Meanwhile, Brian Bannister and several relievers were lit up by the Nicaraguans in what would be a major loss for the American chances. Four Nicaraguans had 3 hits, including 2B Ronald Garth, who doubled, homered, walked, scored two and drove in two.
Game 43 in Pim Mulier Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | |
| Puerto Rico | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
| Win: Arroyo (2-0) Loss: Bokaj (0-1) | ||||||||||||
SS Luis Figueroa went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI and four runs, stole two bases, hit a double and turned three double plays as the star in Puerto Rico's 11-1 win.
Game 44 in Sportpark 'De Heihoef'
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taiwan | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
| Colombia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | - | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Win: R. Roman (1-1) Loss: Tsai (1-1) | ||||||||||||
In their only win against a team other than the Czechs, the Colombians eked out a win over Taiwan thanks to the fine pitching of Roque Roman, who struck out nine in a complete game win.
Game 45 in Sportpark Ookmeer
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 1 |
| Japan | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | 4 | 6 | 0 |
| Win: Takasaki (1-0) Loss: Stephens (1-1) Save: Matsui (1) | ||||||||||||
Australia hung in this one until the 7th, when starter John Stephens allowed the Japanese team to score two insurance runs to put this one away.
Game 46 in Neptunus Family Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Cuba | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | - | 4 | 9 | 0 |
| Win: Palma (2-0) Loss: Seo (0-1) Save: Lazo (1) | ||||||||||||
Pedro Luis Lazo pitched four perfect innings of relief, whiffing eight, as the South Koreans struck out 16 times altogether, overmatched by the Cuban pitchers. SS Eduardo Paret went 2 for 3 with a homer, steal, two runs and two RBI to guide the Cuban offense.
Game 47 in Pim Mulier Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 13 | 2 |
| Canada | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | - | 3 | 10 | 4 |
| Win: Markwell (2-0) Loss: Begg (0-1) Save: Draijer (1) | ||||||||||||
Six Dutch players had at least two hits to help the hosting team overcome the Canadian team after falling behind 2-0.
Game 48 in Fanny Blankers Koen Sportpark
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 1 |
| Panama | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 8 | 10 | 1 |
| Win: Gomez (1-0) Loss: Maciel (0-2) | ||||||||||||
Halfway through the game, Brazil surprisingly led 4-1, but reliever Miguel Gomez contained them over the final four, while Panama's bats came alive in the fifth. CF Tiago Magalhaes went 3 for 3 with two walks, two runs and an RBI, while DH Renan Sato had 3 hits in 4 AB and drove in four runs.
Game 49 in Sportpark 'De Heihoef'
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 14 | 0 |
| Sweden | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 2 |
| Win: Lai (1-0) Loss: Leander (0-1) | ||||||||||||
SS Yufeng Zhang homered twice and drove in four to power China past Sweden.
[edit] September 10
Game 50 in Neptunus Family Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taiwan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 18 | 1 |
| Australia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| Win: Chiang (1-0) Loss: Mackenzie (0-1) | ||||||||||||
CF Chun-Yu Kuo had another fine game, going 4 for 5 to lead a strong Taiwanese attack in this game.
Game 51 in Pim Mulier Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 3 |
| Spain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | 6 | 10 | 0 |
| Win: Ros (2-0) Loss: Rojano (0-2) | ||||||||||||
Carlos Ros got his second win - he would be the only Spanish hurler to take home a victory in the Cup. DH Sebastián Tesouro went 3 for 4 with 3 runs and a home run as Spain's offensive leader.
Game 52 in Sportpark Ookmeer
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuba | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 2 |
| Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Win: Gonzalez (2-0) Loss: Mathieson (1-1) | ||||||||||||
Future Philadelphia Phillies hurler Scott Mathieson held Cuba scoreless for four, but then was tagged for seven over the next inning-plus, while Yulieski González held Canada to one hit in five and Norberto González tossed four scoreless to seal the deal. With Paret out with injury, 3B Yuliesky Gourriel went 2 for 4 with a home run (his sixth of the Cup) and 3 RBI.
Game 53 in Sportpark Ookmeer
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 4 |
| South Africa | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 1 |
| Win: Vesterlund (1-1) Loss: Armitage (0-1) | ||||||||||||
Sweden got their only win of the Cup, easily beating Pool A's last-place South Africa. Petter Vesterlund overcame eight walks to pick up their lone victory.
Game 54 in Neptunus Family Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 1 |
| Nicaragua | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 1 |
| Win: Roman (2-0) Loss: Hansack (1-1) Save: Pizarro (1) | ||||||||||||
Future Boston Red Sox pitcher Devern Hansack got hit hard by Puerto Rico in the 5th, costing Nicaragua the game. CF Jesus Feliciano (2 for 4, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR) led the Puerto Rican offense from the leadoff slot.
Game 55 in Pim Mulier Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Netherlands | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 9 | 12 | 2 |
| Win: Cordemans (2-0) Loss: Bethancourt (0-1) | ||||||||||||
Dutch catcher Sidney de Jong went 3 for 4 with 4 RBI and two runs as the leader in this win by The Netherlands.
Game 56 in Fanny Blankers Koen Sportpark
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 11 | 1 |
| USA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 3 |
| Win: Isomura (2-0) Loss: Mobley (0-1) Save: Matsui (2) | ||||||||||||
1B Yasuyuki Saigo homered and drove in four runs as Japan squeeked by the Americans, handing the US their second straight loss as Joseph Haines and Christopher Mobley allowed four runs in 3 innings after relieving Jason Jacome. DH Dee Brown went 3 for 4 for the USA.
Game 57 in Sportpark 'De Heihoef'
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| South Korea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| Win: Choi (1-0) Loss: Lu (1-1) Save: D. Lee (2) | ||||||||||||
Dae-sung Choi struck out 12 in 7 innings while allowing only two hits as South Korea won this one behind their pitching.
[edit] September 11
Game 58 in Neptunus Family Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| Cuba | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | 3 | 7 | 1 |
| Win: Romero (1-0) Loss: Beljaards (1-1) Save: Maya (1) | ||||||||||||
Right fielder Osmani Urrutia drove in a couple and 1B Eriel Sánchez added a homer to give Cuba all the offense they needed in this game, as Ormari Romero handed the home team their first loss. Romero pitched seven shutout innings, striking out nine. A home run from third baseman Ivanon Coffie in the ninth was all the Dutch could muster.
Game 59 in Sportpark 'De Heihoef'
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
| South Korea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 0 |
| Win: Jang (1-0) Loss: Michaels (0-2) | ||||||||||||||||
South Africa would not win in this World Cup, but this was their second one-run loss, a surprisingly competitive affair in which South Korea (the eventual runners-up) would need 13 innings to dispatch the other South. Carl Michaels worked the entire game for the South Africans, while Won-sam Jang pitched eight innings of one-hit relief, striking out 13.
Game 60 in Sportpark Ookmeer
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 19 | 0 | ||
| China | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 1 | ||
| Win: Crowther (1-0) Loss: Wang (0-3) | ||||||||||||
Battling for the middle spots in pool A, Canada crushed China after a slow start. RF Kyle Leon and 2B Matt Rogelstad each drove in four while 1B Greg Morrison scored three.
Game 61 in Neptunus Family Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 4 |
| Brazil | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 12 | 0 |
| Win: Matumoto (1-1) Loss: Tisell (0-2) | ||||||||||||
CF Tiago Magalhaes went 2 for 4 with a homer and 3 RBI and LF Ronaldo Ono was 3 for five with two runs as Brazil picked up their only win against a team other than South Africa.
Game 62 in Pim Mulier Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicaragua | 0 | 0 |