It was a historic game day at the Honkbalweek Haarlem 2018 on Saturday at Pim Mulier Stadium. Three games were on the schedule of the international baseball tournament. In the morning Japan celebrated another 1-0 win over Chinese Taipei. In the afternoon the Netherlands shut out Italy in another chapter of their rivalry. In the evening Germany captured their first-ever win over Cuba in international competitions.
Japan 000 100 000 1 10 0 Chinese Taipei 000 000 000 0 4 1
After winning three of four against the Czech Republic prior to the Honkbalweek, Chinese Taipei entered the tournament on Saturday morning against Asian rival Japan. The host of the 2020 Olympic Games won the contest through a fourth-inning by Yuma Tongu. Matsumoto Wataru struck out nine in seven scoreless four-hit innings for the win. Sheng Feng Wu got charged with the loss.
Netherlands 012 010 003 7 11 0 Italy 000 000 000 0 2 3
Winning 6-0 over Germany on Friday and 7-0 over Italy on Saturday. The Netherlands took care of their European rivals on the first two days of the Honkbalweek. A vintage performance by Rob Cordemans laid the groundwork, as the veteran right-hander allowed only two hits and two walks in six scoreless innings, striking out nine. Yurendell De Caster, Gilmer Lampe and Nick Urbanus combined for six RBI on offense. Andrea Pizziconi conceded three runs (1 ER) on six hits and a walk in four innings to take the loss.
Cuba 010 300 000 4 8 3 Germany 102 010 10X 5 10 6
It certainly wasn’t pretty, but in the end only the result will be mentioned in the record books. Germany prevailed 5-4 over Cuba, their first ever win over the record world champion. A Philip Schulz run on a double play in the seventh inning proved to be the difference. In the ninth Germany’s closer Enorbel Marquez-Ramirez, their Cuba born veteran southpaw, survived a two-out bases loaded scare with a flyout to center field. Max Boldt and Eric Brenk had three hits apiece for Germany. Simon Guehring drove in two on his birthday. Both teams combined for nine errors in the game.
All information about the Honkbalweek can be found on the official website including live play by play. A simple live stream is available on YouTube.