WBC: Netherlands reach semis after epic Win over Cuba

11/03/2013

Tokyo. The Netherlands are joining Japan as the second team to qualify for the semifinals at the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Once again the Dutch team was able to beat Cuba. This time a sac fly by Kalian Sams decided the outcome in the bottom of the ninth inning of a 7-6 victory on Monday evening at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.

Tokyo. The Netherlands are joining Japan as the second team to qualify for the semifinals at the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Once again the Dutch team was able to beat Cuba. This time a sac fly by Kalian Sams decided the outcome in the bottom of the ninth inning of a 7-6 victory on Monday evening at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.

It was an epic affair on Monday at the Tokyo Dome. Both teams left their hearts on the field, fighting an intense battle pitch for pitch. With the game tied at 6-6 all came down to the ninth inning. Yulieski Gurriel and Jose Fernandez singled with one out to put runners on the corners. But Dutch closer Loek van Mil (W, 1-0) escaped the danger by striking out Frederich Cepeda and inducing a fly out by Jose Abreu.

In the bottom of the ninth a one-out error by Yulieski Gurriel opened the door for the Netherlands, as Andruw Jones reached to initiate the crucial rally. Curt Smith and Xander Bogaerts followed with singles to load the bases. Kalian Sams stepped to the plate and sent the fourth pitch of new reliever Diosdany Castillo to deep center field, driving home Jones from third via the sac fly.

It was only the final tone of a thrilling drama on a Monday evening in Tokyo. The Netherlands twice were able to take the lead in the early part of the game, being in front 2-0 and 4-2. Andruw Jones and Curt Smith drove in two with a sac fly and a RBI single in the third. In the fourth Andrelton Simmons had another sac fly and Randolph Oduber scored thanks to an error.

But Cuba always was able to answer right away. Jose Fernandez’ RBI single and Jose Abreu’s solo short tied the game in the fourth, Yulieski Gurriel’s two-run double in the fifth.

In the eighth it seemed that the Cinderella story of the Netherlands will find an end. Frederich Cepeda and Jose Abreu got on base to lead off the frame and came around to score for a 6-4 Cuban lead on a single by Yasmany Tomas and a sac fly by Eriel Sanchez.

The bottom half of the eighth started with Kalian Sams walking, but when Dashenko Ricardo and Randolph Oduber struck out swinging, the hopes of the European fans started to fade away. Andrelton Simmons, who has a mere nine home runs in his professional career, clubbed a pitch of Norberto Gonzalez over the fence in left field for a two-run home run and the 6-6 tie.

The rest has been history.

Yulieski Gurriel, a standout for Cuba in the last decade, finished the game with three hits, two doubles and two RBI, but also a small mistake in the field in the ninth. Andrelton Simmons led all Dutch batters with three RBI.

On the mound Loek van Mil received the win after pitching a scoreless top of the ninth. Yander Guevara (L, 0-1) was charged with the loss, being responsible for the first two base runners in the bottom of the ninth.

The Netherlands beat Cuba in the Gold Medal Game of the 2011 IBAF Baseball World Cup and in the first game of the second round at the 2013 World Baseball Classic. But the epic battle on Monday evening trumped both affairs. With the loss Cuba has been eliminated from the tournament.

The Dutch team will take on Japan on Tuesday in the conclusion of the second round in Tokyo. Team Samurai and Team Netherlands have been qualified for the semifinals in San Francisco, California (starts on March 17).

Photo: World Baseball Classic, Inc.