Day four of the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam saw Cuba maintain their unbeaten record with a 10-6 win over the Netherlands and Japan level their record at 2-2 with a 6-1 win over Taiwan.  Both games provided plenty of talking points, but it was the opener involving the home nation that brought out the biggest crowd of the event so far. 

Cuba 10 – Netherlands 6

Pleasant Sunday weather and an exciting match-up encouraged a large crowd, reportedly of more than 4,500, to turn up at the Neptunus Family Stadium.  They were rewarded with an exciting game, albeit one in which Cuba ultimately ran out comfortable winners.

Cuba’s victory was set up by two four-run innings and a host of missed opportunities by the Netherlands.  The first inning summed up the game.  The Dutch were the nominated road team and in their first time at bat managed to load the bases against Cuban pitcher Yaumier Sanchez.  The right-hander has an easy fluid action, but he struggled to find the strikezone early and gave up two walks to load the bases.   

The Netherlands came out of this great starting position with only a single run: a moral victory for the Cuban team and a real disappointment to a Dutch team desperate to get off to a good start.  In the bottom half of the frame, the Netherlands’ starter Joey Eijpe retired the first two batters, but then gave up a dreaded two-out walk.  This was to lead to a three-run home run over the left-field wall by Yoelvis Fiss and the Dutch never really recovered from the blow.

In truth, they had received a blow before the game had even begun.  Rob Cordemans, thought by some commentators to be the best pitcher in Europe, was originally scheduled to start the game for the Netherlands, but an injury kept him off the mound and Eiijpe could only muster two innings in his place, conceding nine runs.  Although the bullpen kept them in the game, with sidearmer Michiel van Kampen impressing over three innings of two-hit work, the Dutch batting lineup wasn’t able to back their pitchers with enough runs to overturn the deficit. 

The natural home team did make a game of it for the large expectant crowd on hand, led by a 5-for-5 day by right-fielder Bas de Jong.  The top of the ninth came together for the perfect ending as the Netherlands loaded the bases off reliever Miguel La Hera, with home town favourite Raily Legito coming to the plate at 10-6 knowing that one swing could tie the game.  Alas, he could only ground out back to the pitcher, setting up a 1-2-3 double play to end the game. 

It wasn’t quite as easy as 1-2-3 for the Cubans, yet their 4-0 record already has the look of the start to an unbeaten tournament.  Meanwhile the Netherlands are still seeking their first win.  Manager Rod Delmonico was magnanimous in defeat and there is no shame in losing to this Cuban side.  However, that doesn’t change the fact that the Dutch are now 0-4 in their own tournament.  They will be desperate to break that sequence as soon as possible.

Japan 6 – Taiwan 1

The evening game naturally drew a smaller crowd, yet there was still a decent number on hand to see Japan ease their way to a 6-1 victory.  

Japan took a 3-0 lead in the second inning as DH Kyohei Kondoh launched a solo home run to right field that at first appeared to be sailing into the right-fielder’s glove, but kept on going until it snuck over the fence.  Japan used a double-steal to increase their lead to 5-0 in the fifth.  With runners on first and third, they were able to draw pitcher I-Cheng Wang’s attention to the man stealing second before the man on third, Yohei Yanamoto, started for home and beat the throw.

Taiwan were at least able to break up the shutout in the ninth inning. Chih-Hao Chang led off the inning with a risky triple and he came home on a passed ball, a harsh call against the catcher.  However, it was only a consolation for Taiwan as Japan deservedly ended the game with a five-run victory.

Tomorrow

There is only one game tomorrow.  The Netherlands will play Japan in the evening, with a start time of 18.00 BST.