Italy – Germany 7-2
GER 000 000 020 2 5 1 ITA 400 021 00X 7 9 0
Italy handed Germany a 7-2 loss in their European duel in Chitre, Panama. The Squadra Azzurri scored four runs in the opening frame, also thanks to another costly first-inning error by the German defense. Riccardo Bertagnon had the big hit during the rally with a two-run single. Jairo Ramos Gizzi and Tony Granato added three more runs on a two-run homerun and a RBI double in the fifth and sixth to seal the deal. Germany only was able to avoid the shutout, as Max Boldt and Donald Lutz scored on a bases loaded walk by Kai Gronauer and a sac fly by Dominik Wulf. Marco Grifantini struck out eight in 5 2/3 scoreless innings to pick up the win. Eugen Heilmann took the loss for Germany, pitching five innings. Italy improves to 3-1 in the tournament and will face Cuba on Friday evening. The 0-4 Germany will take on Venezuela.
Italy third in their group.Netherlands in second in their group.