After two uninspired losses to Panama and Italy to start the World Cup of Baseball, Spain brought in their first win. They beat South Africa 7-4, who lost for the third time.
The Spanish squad scored twice in two the first three innings and pushed the lead to 5-0 after seven periods. But the South African offense, which looked not that dangerous up to now, made it interesting in the eighth. They rallied for four runs and cut the deficit to one run. Spain added two insurance runs in the bottom of the frame to get their first victory into the books.
Dewis NAVARRO (2-2) and Daniel SANCHEZ hit triples for Spain. Marc CARRILLO had two doubles and a single. Dani MARTINEZ got two RBIs.
The South African Gregory LIBENBERG had three hits and two RBI.
Manu OLIVERA (W 1-0) gave up only two hits and a walk in six innings of work. He struck out seven. Rhiner CRUZ and Fernando GUTIERREZ closed out the game.
Carl MICHAELS (L 0-1) allowed eight hits, five runs (4 ER) and four base on balls in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out eight.
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