Mister Baseball

The Americans have reached the final at the World Cup of Baseball. They defeated the Dutch team with a 5-0 shutout.

Colby RASMUS opened the socring in the first with a solo-shot over the wall in right field. What followed, was a duel between Matt WRIGHT and David BERGMAN until the eighth, when the USA added four insurance runs. Jayson NIX came through with a RBI-single. Steve PEARCE followed with a two-run-single. Delwyn YOUNG added a fifth run through a sac fly.

The Netherlands reached scoring position just once in the whole game, when Gregory HALMAN came to second.

Matt WIRGHT (W 2-0) allowed just four hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out six. Neil MUSSER, Lee GRONKIEWICZ and Chris BOOKER closed out the game.

David BERGMAN (L 1-1) gave up five hits, four runs (1 ER) and five base on balls in seven-plus innings. dave DRAIJER relieved him.