The preliminary round at the 2015 World Port Tournament at Family Stadium in Rotterdam, Netherlands ended on Wednesday. The double elimination playoffs start on Thursday with the Netherlands hosting Cuba and Japans squaring off against Curacao. Chinese Taipei finished in fifth place and will take on the loser of NED-CUB on Friday. The loser of that game will play for 4th and 5th on Saturday, while the winner gets a second chance for the final.
Curacao – Cuba 7-11
Cuba scored eight runs in the last two frames of an 11-7 win over Curacao. Cuba took a quick 3-0 lead after the second, but then Curacao put seven runs on the board to get ahead 7-3 after six. Rojean Cleofa homered and drove in three for Curacao. Yurisbel Gracial and Osvaldo Vazques combined for five RBI. Olber Pena went 4-for-4. Danny Aguilera earned the win in relief. Evenon Martis got charged with the loss.
Netherlands – Japan 2-1
In the evening game the Netherlands edged out Japan 2-1 for their fourth win in as many tries. A sac fly by Quintin de Cuba in the bottom of the ninth proved to be the difference, as Dwayne Kemp scored from second base. Both teams had scored once in the fourth. Otherwise it was a pitcher’s duel. Kevin Kelly and three relievers kept Team Nippon to five hits and a walk in nine innings. Jim Ploeger picked up the win. Ryusei Sakamoto took the loss. It was the second walk-off win for the Dutch team in the tournament.
For more information visit the official website www.worldporttournament.nl