The playoffs at the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands started on Thursday. Curacao and the Netherlands moved up a step in the double-elimination round. Both will meet on Friday to determine the first finalist. Cuba faces Chinese Taipei to stay alive. Japan already awaits the loser of that matchup in the game for fourth place on Saturday.
Even though it’s already day six at the WPT, a couple of MLB clubs still have their scouts in attendance probably due to presence of Cuba in the tournament: San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, Houston Astros, St Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles.
Japan – Curacao 5-14
Curacao scored in each of the last seven frames en route to a 14-5 blowout over Japan to capture at least third place in the final standings – their best ever result at the World Port Tournament. Raily Legito of the hosting Curacao Neptunus Rotterdam baseball club and former Dutch national team player, went 3-for-5 with a double, three runs scored and a RBI. Raydel Isabella pitched 8 2/3 solid innings for the win. Tatsuya Yamamoto took the loss.
Netherlands – Cuba 8-4
A double Dutch ceremonial first pitch by former Neptunus second baseman Bob van Aalen (retired number 22) and free style soccer artist Soufiane Touzani, both from Rotterdam prior to the match. Catchers from Cuba and the Netherlands received the throws. The Dutch team then proceeded to beat Cuba 8-4 in a meeting of the top two teams of the preliminary phase. Five runs in the bottom of the fifth broke a 1-1 tie and handed the Dutch the victory. Mike Bolsenbroek conceded five hits, a run and a walk in seven innings for the win. Dwayne Kemp, who had scored the game-winner on a sac fly from second base on Wednesday, scored twice and drove in two with a triple during the rally. Gracial went 4-for-5 with three doubles and two RBI for Cuba. Jonder Martinez got charged with six hits, four runs (3 ER) and two base on balls in four-plus innings to take the loss.
For more information about the World Port Tournament visit www.worldporttournament.nl