European Championship 2010, Day 1, July 23:
Italy – Spain 9-1
ESP 000 010 000 1 7 2 ITA 423 000 00X 9 16 0
Mario Chiarini, who has taken over as team captain for the missing Davide Dallospedale, led Italy to an impressive 9-1 win over Spain in Group B at the European Championship in Stuttgart. They already had a nine-run advantage after three frames. The 29-year-old went 4-for-5 with two homeruns, three runs scored, five RBI and a triple shy of the cycle. Laidel Chapelli with two doubles and two RBI and Tony Granato with three hits and three runs scored also had a nice day at the plate.
Meanwhile on the mound Chris Cooper (W 1-0) dominated especially in the beginning, striking out five of the first six batters he faced. Overall he went six innings, allowing just a run on seven hits and a walk. Justin Cicatello and Marco Grifantini closed it out by retiring the last nine batters of the game.
Manuel Olivera (L 0-1) got the start for Spain, but lasted only two thirds of an inning, issuing five hits, four runs and two bb. Pedro Pablo Belmonte replaced him in the first and did a nice job after struggling in the beginning, taking off some pressure for the bullpen with 6 1/3 innings of relief. Lowuin Sacramento pitched the eighth.
Photo: © Gregor Eisenhuth, www.eisenhuth-photographie.de
