Spain team wants to keep on dreaming in the 2nd Round of this 2009 World Cup. Though the first game was a someway dissapointing loss with Puerto Rico (12-2, after only 5-3 against them in Barcelona 1st round), the spanish team gave yesterday one of the biggest surprises of the Tournament, when defeating Venezuela... and with a definitive and strong 8-1 score.
Today team Spain has day-off, time to rest, concentrate and prepare next games (Wed. The Netherlands, Thu. Cuba again), in which we will see how long this talented players can go.
2nd Round Games Summaries
PUERTO RICO 12- ESPAÑA 2
Puerto Rico put the definitive lead in a forgettable 2nd inning for Spain, when they scored up to 6 runs against pitcher Jose E. Cruz, who relieved Joel Hernandez.
The south-american team showed a great offensive potential this game: 12 hits in total, and many of their starts getting 2 hits: big names like Valentin, Negron, Matos, Rivera or Cintron, all of them with great experience in professional baseball.
Spain only got 4 hits against Atilano (winner in 5 IP) and 2 more relieves, but is worth to remark a new 2 run homer by Marlins (from Tenerife,ESP) outfielder Luis Perez
Click here for box-score:
ESPAÑA 8 - VENEZUELA 1
The "Reds", managed by Mauro Mazzoti, played yesterday almost perfect: pitcher Eric Gonzalez did a great job in first 5 innings, while Rhiner Cruz and Remigio Leal finished all venezuelan hopes in this game.
While Spain did a perfect game in defense, Venezuelan surprised with an unexpected 6 errors game.
Spain started building this victory in an explosive 1st inning, when Dewis Navarro drove in 2 runs against starter Jose Rojas. Later, Marlins powerfull outfielder Luis Perez homered in sixth inning.
In Spanish defense, Eric Gonzalez -formed in Marlins Tenerife team and now San Diego Padres prospect- controlled efectively the rivals (5 IP, 1 ER, 4 SO, 5 hits), together with Remigio Leal (2.2 IP, no hits) and closer Rhiner Cruz.
Other brilliant names were leadoff hitter and Baltimore Orioles prospect Daniel Figueroa,who went 3-5 with three runs scored for Spain, while his twin brother Paco went 1-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Don´t miss this box-score
