by John Baum
Game one of the Euro Qualifier came and went with a victory for the Cardinals. Chris Beyeler threw four strong innings, allowing only one earned run. The Cards got off to a quick start against the Slovakian pitcher. Leadoff hitter Samuel Paulino reached on a hit by pitch and Angelo Rodriguez walked before John Baum hit a two run double to left center. With no outs, the Cards were unable to plate Baum, which would be a recurring theme the rest of the game. The offense time and again had runners on, and in scoring position, but couldn’t come through with the big hits.
Jeff Mottl replaced Beyeler in the fifth inning, with the score at 4-3. Mottl would do a great job, limiting the Slovakians to one unearned run. The Cards meantime managed to take a lead of 6-4 into the eighth inning, thanks to a big two-run double from Raphael Hanzi. At this point Baum decided to relieve Mottl on the mound. He would allow two hits, while striking out four in the last two innings, converting the save.
The Cardinals will have to play much better tonight when they take on the hosts, Czech Republic, who won in convincing fashion last night defeating Croatia 9-5. The Cards committed five errors, and had too many mistakes on the bases, and were lucky to open the tournament against one of the weaker teams.
