Big fourth inning powers USA over Denmark. Argentina KOs Mexico in four
USA secured a spot in the quarter-finals on Friday, with a five-inning, come from behind win over Denmark, 12-4. Argentina clinched today a spot in the playoffs with a solid four-inning victory, 11-1, over Mexico.
USA secured a spot in the quarter-finals on Friday, with a five-inning, come from behind win over Denmark, 12-4. The European team arrived the fourth inning with a four-run lead, but USA rallied for 12 runs and clinched the key victory that qualifies them to the championship round.
Denmark jumped ahead in the top of the third inning. Tony Mancha hit Jens Terkelsen and Anders Jorgensen to start the inning, and one out later Daniel Julenon hit a line drive double to left field to produce the first run of the game. Then Anders Svane hit a grounder to shortstop that allowed Jorgensen to score from third.
In the bottom of the third, with two outs, USA loaded the bases on two walks and a single, but Nick Mullins hit a high fly ball to right field to end the inning.
In Denmark’s fourth the European doubled the difference with a 2-run blast off the bat of Jens Terkelsen. After the homer, Tony Mancha was pulled after 3.1 innings with 3 hits, 4 runs, 3 walks and 2 Ks.
However, in the bottom of the fourth, in an inning that lasted 35 minutes, USA exploded with 12 runs after 9 hits and 3 walks, to win the match. The big rally was highlighted by Matt Palazzo’s 2-run homer, and a bases-clearing double by Erick Ochoa.
In the fifth Mervine Weiler retired the side to finish the game. Weiler won the game in 1.2 innings of work.
Tomorrow USA will face Venezuela (also qualified for the next stage), the winner will be third in Group B, and the loser will end fourth, and will face Japan in quarter-finals.
Argentina clinched today a spot in the playoffs with a solid four-inning victory, 11-1, over Mexico. The South American team scored in the four innings of play, including a six-run second episode.
Argentina jumped ahead in the bottom of the first. Alan Peker and Teo Migliavacca reached safely with infield hits, then Bruno Motroni bunted and Santiago Carril hit a sac fly to center field to make it 1-0.
One inning later the South American team rallied for six runs, including a pair of homers by Godoy brothers, Gustavo and Manuel.
Godoy found a drop ball on the inside corner and belted a solo home run to center field. Then Federico Eder walked, and Manuel Godoy, Gustavo’s young brother, homered to left center field to double the difference. Argentina added one more in the third with a monster shot by Juan Zara.
Argentina’s pitcher Roman Godoy was perfect after 3.2 innings, but Mexican slugger Edgar Lopez blasted a line drive home run to center field, producing the only run of his team.
Argentina added three more runs and ended the game with a walk off RBI single by Manuel Godoy.
Argentina qualified for the playoffs and will face tomorrow New Zealand with the second place of the Group A at stake.
