Collins homers, the Netherlands beat Nicaragua; Australia outscores China

The Kansas City Royals prospect Darryll Collins provided three RBIs to help The Netherlands defeat Nicaragua, 4-2. Collins hit a two-run home run in the first inning and sent in the fourth run on a sacrifice fly in the fourth.

Collins headed to the box for his first at-bat against Walter Solis with second baseman Tyriq Kemp standing at first after a single. The Dutch left fielder looked at two balls and then homered on the third pitch.

Kemp himself batted in a run in the top of the second with his second hit of the day.

Luuk Ter Beek earned the win for the Netherlands going six innings and allowing only one run on a single by Nicaragua’s catcher Jorge Lopez.

Nicaragua added a run against reliever Cal Maduro on a base hit by shortstop Christian Moreno. Ari Fransen needed only nine pitches in the top of the ninth to earn the save.

A six-run second at-bat set the pace for an easy, 13-2 in seven innings, for Australia against China. The Aussie outhit China 16-1. Left fielder Jaylin Rae, designated hitter Chris Burke and right fielder Solomon Maguire all enjoyed a three-hit game.

In the top of the second, with runners at second and third, Burke, Rae and second baseman Travis Bazzana all singled off Chinese starter Zhao Wei. An error and a hit by pitch gave additional help to Australia. China gave the call to the bullpen to Xu Yongijan, but a single by shortstop Byron Armstrong made it 6-0.

China used three more pitchers, but Australia took the game to a quick end in seven innings.

Brandan Bidois could work with a comfortable lead and went six innings to earn the win.