Day 2 of the Champions Cup in Bonn, Germany, was again marred by rain, with only three of the day’s five scheduled games played to completion. Nevertheless, the competition had highlights to offer, none bigger than the host Bonn Capitals’ walk-off grand slam victory over Arrows Ostrava. In the other action, both Czech clubs struggled to produce much offense, with the Amsterdam Pirates and San Marino Baseball Club both booking shutout victories.
Amsterdam Cruises to Victory over Draci Brno
Amsterdam’s Scott Prins (3IP, 1H, 4K) and Mike Groen (2IP, 1H, 2K) combined to allow just two hits while striking out six batters in a 9-0 victory (box score) over Draci Brno. The game was called after five innings on account of persistent rain and sloppy field conditions. Gerard Rashid contributed three RBI for the victorious Pirates.
San Marino’s Quevedo Tosses Six No-Hit Innings Against Arrows
Carlos Quevedo was dominant in his six innings of work against Arrows Ostrava, striking out six batters while allowing no hits and no walks in a 4-0 victory (box score). The Arrows managed just one hit in the game, off reliever Luca Di Raffaele, who struck out two in the seventh inning before the game was called on account of the rain. The Italian offense was provided by Oscar Angulo, who went 2-for-3, driving in one run on a solo homer, and Jesus Ustariz, who drove in two runs on the back of a 2-for-3 showing at the plate.
Ahrens’ Walk-Off Grand Slam Gives Capitals a Win to Remember
The Bonn Capitals and Arrows Ostrava had to sit through multiple rain delays before completing their six-hour marathon with a dramatic ninth inning that ultimately left the host Capitals celebrating a 6-3 victory (box score). The ninth inning began with the game tied at two runs apiece and Capitals reliever Dovydas Neverauskas, who pitched parts of four MLB seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, on the mound. Neverauskaus, who has struck out 23 batters while not yet allowing a hit in 10.1 innings of play in the Bundesliga, struggled with the conditions, however, throwing just 13 of his 24 pitches for strikes. He collected all three outs in the inning by strike out, but also walked two and tossed three wild pitches, allowing Ostrava to take a 3-2 lead. Bonn accepted the challenge, with a walk and two singles loading the bases for Vincent Ahrens, who launched a pitch over the left-field wall to clinch the W and set off the celebrations.
Rain, Rain, Go Away
Parma Baseball Club was leading the Heidenheim Heideköpfe 2-0 in the third inning when the game was suspended on account of rain, while Bonn’s six-hour marathon victory led to the scheduled nightcap against Curaçao Neptunus being postponed until Thursday. Due to the poor weather conditions over the first two days of the tournament, Thurday’s slate of games has ballooned to six, with the first pitch scheduled to be thrown in Bonn at 9:30 CEST. Fortunately, the weather forecast is favorable, with some light rain expected amid a steady breeze.
Draci Brno v. Heidenheim Heideköpfe — 9:30 CEST
Arrows Ostrava v. Curaçao Neptunus — 12:00 CEST
Parma Baseball Club v. Heidenheim Heideköpfe — 13:00 CEST (continuation of suspended game)
Bonn Capitals v. Curaçao Neptunus — 16:00 CEST
L&D Amsterdam v. Parma Baseball Club — 16:00 CEST
San Marino Baseball Club v. Bonn Capitals — 20:00 CEST
For a summary of the Day 1 action, go here. For links to live streams, schedules, rosters, and more information on the teams and the competition, visit the WBSC Europe tournament page.