Winners Round Robin: Spain – Germany
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Spain has reached the final at the European Championship in Hoofddorp with a 3-0 shutout over Germany on Saturday afternoon. It’s their first finals participation since 1955, when they won the title. It was a thrilling pitcher’s duel, which was decided by a three-run home run by Jesus Martinez in the eighth. Germany is finishing the tournament in fourth place. Italy has won bronze.
On the mound Daniel Alvarez and Rhiner Cruz combined for a no-hitter. The only blemishes were a walk and a pair of hit batters. Otherwise it was a dominant performance. Germany had their best opportunity with two outs in the seventh when Chris Howard and Ludwig Glaser reached base. But a fielder’s choice ended the threat.
Meanwhile Spain also wasn’t able to score against Germany’s pitchers Sven Schueller, Enorbel Marquez-Ramirez, Tim Stahlmann and Andre Hughes in the first seven frames. They managed just two hits and six walks during that span. With one out in the bottom of the eighth Engel Beltre and Jesus Golindano got on base with a single and a walk against Lukas Steinlein. Germany reacted right away and brought in Max Schmitz who served up the decisive home run to Jesus Martinez with the first pitch.
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Photo by Gregor Eisenhuth, www.eisenhuth-photographie.de