European Championship, Day 2, July 24
Spain – Croatia 7-6
CRO 000 000 105 6 6 1 ESP 020 301 10X 7 10 5
Spain celebrated its first win at the European Championship on Saturday, but nearly blew a six-run lead in the top of the ninth en route to a 7-6 win over Croatia. Team Espana took a fast 5-0 lead after four frames and still led 7-1 after eight, when Croatia kicked off a rally. They took advantage of a pair of errors and scored five runs highlighted by two-run singles of Filip Berecka and Bobo Gales.
Spain’s offense was led by William Domero with three hits, a double, two runs and a RBI. Daniel Martinez hit a solo homerun. Yoel Hernandez (W 1-0) dominated with nine strikeouts in seven strong innings, allowing just three hits, an unearned run and a walk throwing 91 pitches. Marin Vukmirovic (L 0-1) issued five hits, five runs and four bb in 3 1/3 innings.
Photo: © Gregor Eisenhuth, www.eisenhuth-photographie.de