European Championship 2010, Day 5, July 27:
France – Belgium 8-2
BEL 100 000 100 2 9 3 FRA 600 000 02X 8 5 1
After making the trip from Neuenburg to Stuttgart, the French National Team beat Belgium on Tuesday 8-2 and clinched a spot in the final round. It was their third victory in the fourth game.
Belgium had the better start, as they took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a RBI single by Hans Heyrman. They could have scored more, but a bunt by Benjamin Dille was caught in the air and led to a double play.
In the bottom of the frame, France scored six runs against TJ Antonacci (L 1-1) with a three-run double by Gaspard Fessy being the lone hard hit ball. The big rally obviously decided the outcome early. Maxime Lefevre scored twice for France.
Pierrick Lemestre (W 1-0) gave up nine hits, two runs (1 ER) and four bb in seven innings for the win. Antonacci wasn’t as sharp as usual, giving up five hits, six unearned runs and three walks in six innings. Both teams are playing another game today. Belgium takes on the Netherlands starting at 2.30pm, while France faces Germany in the night game.
Photo: © Gregor Eisenhuth, www.eisenhuth-photographie.de