A home run by the former Big League infielder set the tone in the top of the first, while the starting pitcher went the distance, using 116 pitches, 82 for a strike, and allowing only three hits
Israel defeated Spain in the first game of the WBSC Baseball Europe/Africa Qualifying event, 3-0. Joey Wagman went the distance, pitching a shutout, striking out 8 and allowing only 3 hits. Former Major Leaguer Danny Valencia batted in all of the runs. His only hit was a two-run home run in the first inning.
‘’Everything was great tonight. It was important to start well the tournament and we did it,’’ commented Danny Valencia. ‘’We played well, especially our defence. I helped the team with the RBIs but the most credit goes to Wagman. He was amazing on the mound’’.
In the first inning, Gailen earned a walk and Valencia homered to deep left field off starting pitcher Carlos Sierra and gave Israel a 2-0 lead. In the fifth, the former Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0.
Spain tried to get back into the game but never got on the scoreboard. Joey Wagman was outstanding on the mound. He used 116 pitches to go the distance, 82 for a strike.
‘’I just pitched my game,’’ Joey Wagman commented. ‘’Rickels called a great game behind home plate. We were on the same page all night. It’s a lot easier for me when I can trust him and trust the defence”.
