Holland Series, Game 5, September 12:
(3-2) DOOR Neptunus – L&D Amsterdam 3-2
AMS 000 200 000 2 5 0 NEP 100 000 02X 3 9 0
DOOR Neptunus is back in front 3-2 in the best-of-seven Holland Series after game five on Sunday afternoon. They beat L&D Amsterdam 3-2 in front of TV cameras and 480 people in attendance at the Family Stadium in Rotterdam. Two runs in the bottom of the eighth helped the defending champion to seal the victory.
Neptunus also had the better start into the game, as they took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the opening frame thanks to a RBI double by Benjamin Dille who drove in Eugene Kingsale after the former big leaguer had reached with a leadoff single. But the Pirates came back. A two-out two-run double by Michael Kramer in the top of the fourth put the guests ahead just moments after Kenny Berkenbosch was thrown out at the plate.
It was not enough, as the regular season winner from Rotterdam came through in the eighth. After two fast outs, Danny Rombley, Jeff Arends and Dwayne Kemp tied the contest with consecutive singles. Jeroen Sluijter walked to load the bases to bring Mourik Huijser to the plate. The catcher produced the game winning hit with a single to right field, easily scoring Arends from third.
Closer Dushan Ruzic, who already had retired the side in the eighth, closed it out with three fast outs for the win. Leon Boyd had received the starting nod for Neptunus, allowing five hits, two runs and three walks in seven solid innings. Jos de Jong began for Amsterdam. He conceded six hits, two runs and two bb in 7 2/3 innings. Rik Geestman was charged with the loss.
Game six and possible seven are scheduled for next weekend.
Results Holland Series:
Game 1: DOOR Neptunus – L&D Amsterdam 2-5
Game 2: L&D Amsterdam – DOOR Neptunus 3-5
Game 3: DOOR Neptunus – L&D Amsterdam 3-0
Game 4: L&D Amsterdam – DOOR Neptunus 3-1
Game 5: DOOR Neptunus – L&D Amsterdam 3-2
Schedule Holland Series:
Saturday, September 18:
14:00 L&D Amsterdam Pirates – DOOR Neptunus
Sunday, September 19:
14:00 DOOR Neptunus – L&D Amsterdam Pirates*
*if necessary