03/09/2023 2 Minute Read

Netherlands beat Panama in thriller

Panama claimed a 3-2 lead in the fourth. Joan Sierra (pictured) tied the game with a solo homer in the top of the fifth. The Netherlands got the final out in the sixth at the plate and went on to win it in the top of the seventh.

In an action packed thriller at Tianmu Stadium, world No. 11 Panama thought they had the go-ahead run on its way to home plate with two outs in the bottom of the sixth but No. 7 Netherlands got that runner at home to end the inning and went on to win the game in the top of the seventh, 4-3.

Panama starter Marcos Pimentel allowed back-to-back walks in the first and second innings. He escaped the first-inning jam, but could not prevent it in the second, as the Netherlands scored. Designated hitter Terrence Heemskerk and second baseman Tai Tromp hit back-to-back singles for the lead.

Panama called Moises Castillo from the bullpen, and centre fielder Miquel Willem welcomed him with an RBI single to make it 2-0. The right-hander got out of the inning, retiring the side in order.

Second baseman Joey Wood led off the bottom of the third with a single. He advanced on a sacrifice bunt and reached third when Dutch starter Isaac Mendez was charged with a balk. Leadoff hitter Edwin Alfaro scored against him on a groundout to first.

Designated hitter Roderick Lezcano led off the bottom of the fourth with a base hit. First baseman Julio Casas singled him to third. With one out, right fielder José Gonzalez fouled a safety squeeze attempt, then singled through the left side to tie the game and bring Casas to third.

The Netherlands called left-hander Ryeteri Merite from the bullpen. Third baseman Dimas Oda dropped a bunt to execute the safety squeeze and give Panama their first lead.

It would not last long as Dutch clean-up hitter Joan Sierra turned the second pitch by Castillo in the first out-of-the-park homer of the tournament to make it 3-3

Panama blew a scoring opportunity in the bottom of the sixth. Dimas Oda doubled over the head of right fielder Keyon Ashby with two outs. José Carrion tried to score from first, but Ashby returned the ball to Tromp, who got the runner at home to end the inning.

Two perfect throws kept the Netherlands in the game, and their lineup got to Castillo in the top of the seventh with back-to-back hits by Jamie Beerman and Sierra. Panama gave the call to left-hander Kelvin Contreras with one out.

The reliever loaded the bases on a walk before Ashby was in the spotlight again as he grounded out to second, scoring Beerman from third for what would prove to be the winning run.

On Monday, 4 September, the Netherlands will open the day against No. 21 Spain. Panama will play No. 2 USA at 14:30.