Germany – Team USA 6-3
USA 000 010 002 3 4 1 GER 000 302 01X 6 9 3
Germany stunned Team USA (collegiate) on Monday at the World Baseball Challenge in Prince George, Canada with a 6-3 victory. Three homeruns by Jendrick Speer, Simon Guehring (2 RBI) and Michael Franke (2 RBI) put Germany ahead by a score of 5-1 after eight innings, before the Americans tried to come back in the top of the ninth. But closer Martin Almstetter struck out Michael Choice to seal the win, after Yasmani Grandal and Matt Newman had cut the deficit to three runs with solo shots against starter Tim Henkenjohann (W 1-0).
Henkenjohann had quite a wild night, walking seven of the 35 batters he faced. However he allowed just three runs (2 ER) on four hits in 8 2/3 innings. He struck out six to lead Germany to its second victory in the tournament. They are now tied with Prince George Axemen and Team Canada for first place in the standings. TJ Walz (L 0-1) took the loss, conceding three runs on six hits in three-plus innings. Team USA now has a 14-5 record overall this year and is 1-1 in the World Baseball Challenge. They have 13 players on their roster, which were drafted by Major League organizations in the past few years. It was the first win ever by a German national team against Team USA (eleven games overall so far).
Earlier on Monday Canada no hit the Bahamas over seven innings in a 14-0 shutout. Jordan Rawlyk, Brandon Kaye and Matt Bannister combined to allow just three walks, while striking out eight. K Atkinson went five-for-five with two homeruns, two doubles, two runs scored and six RBI.
Germany will face British Columbia at midnight today (CET). Team USA squares off with the Bahamas four hours later.
Complete Results World Baseball Challenge:
July 17:
Prince George Axemen – Germany 8-4
July 18:
Bahamas – Prince George Axemen 3-13 (7)
British Columbia – Canada 2-6
July 19:
Germany – Bahamas 20-3 (7)
British Columbia – Prince George Axemen 10-4
Canada – USA 2-5
July 20:
Bahamas – Canada 0-14 (7)
Germany – USA 6-3
Box scores to all games
Schedule:
July 21:
3pm Germany – British Columbia
7pm USA – Bahamas
(times are local)
Box scores, live stream and video on demand at www.worldbaseball.ca