Team Spain looks more difficult now their dream to earn a place in the final round of this 2009 World Cup. The victory against Venezuela, the good results against outstanding baseball teams, like Cuba, Puerto Rico or Netherlands, and the good level of play made us dream with a step to Italia phase, but yesterday Nicaraguan bats were on charge to set a break between South Americans and Spaniards.
One more day, Spain team was consistent the whole game: Nicaragua commanded the score the whole game, but Spain didn’t stop fighting all time.
Spain opened with lefty Ivan Granados on the mound. But the young pitchers from Marlins (one of the best in La Liga 2009) had not a good start: after 2 walks to first batters, Oviedo homered to left field getting a hard 3-0 score in first inning.
But “La Roja” team answered immediately: Daniel Figueroa arrived on base on a throwing error by ss. Then Daniel stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error by c. Figueroa’s brothers connection appeared again when Paco got an RBI single to left field sending Daniel home. But Paco was caught stealing in 3rd, after he had stole second. Afterwards Marlins outfielder PEREZ L (280 in batting) tripled to right center, and Dewis Navarro batted for an error by shortstop, who sent Perez home: 2-3 in the score.
Second inning was in blank for both teams, but Nicaragua scored 2 more, with 2 doubles by Gonzales and Oviedo again and a RBI grounder to infield. At the end of inning, Remigio Leal replaced Granados at the mound, who made to slow South-Americans attack at the moment.
Spain went closer on 4th, scoring one run thanks to double by William Domero, Montiel´s single and great double by shortstop Nestor Perez. This produced a pitching change in Nicaragua: Espinoza (winner) replaced Perez.
Then Nicaragua keep on pressing with their bats: Oviedo walked, and Rivas homered for 7-3 in the board. Remigio Leal managed not to allow more runs in 5th and 6th .
Meanwhile Spain didn’t want Nicaragua to escape, so Mazzoti’s players worked hard for 2 more runs in 6th, with the aid of some errors: Daniel Martinez was hit by pitch, Daniel Figueroa singled to pitcher on a bunt (1-1 BS), and advanced third with on a throwing error in a pickoff attempt, which led Martinez to the plate, and Daniel Figueroa also scored due to a consecutive throwing error by right fielder: 5-7 on the score, time to hope.
But Nicaragua had realized the Spanish team was a real threat, bearing in mind their last games, so –unfortunately for Spain- they put his great batters to work again: Oviedo got his third hit, then veteran Sandor Guido singled through the left, and after a struck out, catcher Matamoros, singled to shortstop. After MORALES’ RBI walk, Mazzoti replaced Remigio Leal by closer Fernando Gutierrez, who started with another RBI walk. The inning ended with a ground out to infield. The score went to 9-5, and did not move any more.
Since 7th inning Nicaragua put Raudez on the mound, a strong closer on the mound: he blanked Spain, getting 4 strike outs in 2 innings, and the final relief Saenz neither allowed runs or hits.
Fernando Gutierrez also improved his start in last two innings, with 4 strikeouts also, but the Spanish bats could not produce more runs against Nicaragua’s strong pitchers.
Today Spain faces Great Britain, an European team which also is doing good games this World Cup, so it will be not easy for Spain, who wants a kind of revenge from European Championship 2007, when Britains defeated Spain in Barcelona Pre Olympic Tournament.
Catch all the information on the game in the box score link.
Click here for complete box score of the game.
