Seven of the eight first games were pretty much lopsided and we are hoping for a bit more drama this week, when the Dutch Major League resumes play.
SPARTA/FEYENOORD got a new pitcher these days and welcome the Venezuelan Aristides Almenar to their rotation. He is a former minor leaguer with the NEW YORK METS organization, playing as high as Single A. In 2007 he pitched for CHARLOTTE of the South Coast League and struck out 34 (17 walks) in 28 innings with an ERA of 4.18. He will replace Eddie Oropesa, who had left the club due to family issues.
It is not clear at the moment if Almenar will make his debut against HCAW this Sunday. On Saturday Rob Cordemans gets the call to stop MR COCKER with Kevin Roovers, who got the win against KINHEIM last Sunday. In game two between the teams, Forstin Coenraad could start for HCAW in place of the struggling Adam Sowell.
Fausto Alvarez overpowered the opposing pitchers already on opening day with one homerun, three doubles, four runs scored and four RBI. Teammates Wesley Connor and Bas De Jong also showed impressive work at the plate with seven, respective six hits against ADO. This week the PIRATES do have a much tougher task, as they face DOOR NEPTUNUS. Pim Walsma and Kenny Berkenbosch are on the mound for L&D AMSTERDAM. Leon Boyd and Diegomar Markwell will need their best stuff against Alvarez and company.
The other two match ups this week are CORENDON KINHEIM versus ADO and KONICA MINOLTA PIONIERS against RCH MEDIA MONKS.
Games this week:
{mrb-schedule:2008-04-19|2008-04-20|NL}
Complete Results
{mrb-standing:Netherlands-2008}
GOOD LUCK ALMENAR!!!!!