Posts Tagged ‘world baseball classic’

Virtually no chance for the Dutch HA!

Posted: March 8, 2009 by datechguy in baseball
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One of the great things about upsets is the sheer joy of reading articles like this.

The Netherlands’ chances of advancing were slim to begin with, but when Jair Jurrjens chose not to participate, it left them with virtually no chance.

In under 24 hours they have gone from virtual no chance to one win away from advancing. Now lets look at the other end of the spectrum:

Even without Rodriguez, though, the Dominican team is loaded for manager Felipe Alou, who will field a lineup that still boasts the likes of Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, David Ortiz and Robinson Cano.

Ya think they might be calling for his head in the Dominican tonight. They certainly will be if they lose tomorrow afternoon against Panama.

Albert Pujols, Alfonso Soriano and Vladimir Guerrero all opted to skip the event.

You think those guys are going to hear about it if the Dominicans are bounced in round one? I think it will be rather nasty.

As it was a clutch situation I don’t know if A-Rod would have made a difference.

Japan is in, Taiwan is out

Posted: March 7, 2009 by datechguy in baseball
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Japan has qualified for the 2nd round of the WBC with a 14-2 spanking of Korea. And China has bounced Taiwan with a 4-1 win.

Tomorrow morning we will see if Korea can get China out of the tourney or if the Chinese can begin their climb into baseball respectability.

Dutch over Dominicans 3-2!

Posted: March 7, 2009 by datechguy in baseball
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If you didn’t catch my liveblogging your eyes are not deceiving you.

The Dominicans combined overconfidence and key errors with bad base running and some bad first pitch swinging to sink themselves.

The Dutch only managed 3 hits but played excellent defense, and clutch pitching. The Dutch closer Boyd walked two but had one man thrown out trying to steal 3rd and stuck out the last man standing.

If this isn’t one of the biggest upsets in baseball history I’d like to know what is. The only thing that could be bigger is if Italy beats Hugo Chavez’s boys tonight.

I can’t believe David pinto was stuck on a Panel somewhere and missed it.

Update: The headline at the classic website says it all: International incident: Dutch stun Dominicans. There should be dancing in the Netherlands tonight! (except in the parts where Imans won’t allow it.)

Update 2: More headlines David Just Beat Goliath In The First Round Of The WBC, As The Netherlands Defeated The Domincan Republic

Are my eyes deceiving me ? DUTCH WIN 3-2!

Posted: March 7, 2009 by datechguy in baseball
Tags: ,

Just turned on the world baseball classic today and the Dutch are leading the Dominicans 3-1 in the 5th?

Could this be real miracle time?

UPDATE: Well a single and a walk to start the bottom of the 5th. Maybe not.

Perfect bunt bases loaded no outs.

12:47 p.m. Sac fly to right 3-2 Big Papi is up

12:48 p.m. Ball gets away from the Catcher its now 2nd & 3rd and Papi gets a free pass. I don’t see how the runner on 3rd doesn’t score. A righthander comes in.

12:54 p.m. Cordemams gets the 5-3 double play against Tejada and the Dutch keep the lead!

12:58 p.m. Pedro is keeping it close in relief, the Dutch are not his daddy.

1:01 p.m. Those dutch caps seem to say NL for national League.

1:03 p.m. 2 strikeouts for Pedro. Can the Dutch keep the Dominicans down?

1:05 p.m. 1 pitch one out Cordemams starts strong

1:07 p.m. 3-2 pitch drilled down the line by Aybar a perfect throw from left misses the tag, runner misses the bag but the runner gets back to the bag before the tag can be made.

1:09 p.m. Another one pitch fly out. runner on 2nd 2 down.

1:10 p.m. Another full count the pitch…

1:11 p.m STRIKE 3! Blyleven the pitching coach must be grinning.

1:19 p.m. Oh they are playing 9 innings not seven this game is far from over.

1:19 p.m. Pedro is just mowing them down.

1:25 p.m. Cano popps out 2 down in the 7th.

1:26 p.m. Ramirez singles to right on the first pitch. Papi time.

1:29 p.m. Those last two balls were really close but Papi walks and is pulled for a pinch runner. 1st & 2nd 2 outs.

1:31 p.m. Tejada up again in a key spot with Cordemams.

1:32 p.m. Tejada flies to center on a 2-1 pitch, somebody sign this Cordemams guy.

1:41 p.m. Dutch go down in order now a 19 year old rookie Neuman who is in the Red Sox organization is in.

1:42 p.m. Strike 3 one out. Aybar now up.

1:44 p.m. 3-0 to Aybar who is 2-3 today. Down the center 3-1

1:45 p.m. Aybar walks and Reyes comes in to run. Good move against a young pitcher. 2-0 Blyleven comes to the mound.

1:47 p.m. Nelson Cruz pops up on a 3-2 count 2 down.

1:48 p.m. Felipe Alou sends his 42 year old son Moises to pinch hit. f7 3 outs to go and I’ve got to pick up my son.

2:00 p.m. Just back in time to see the 3rd out of the top of the 9th. Can the Dutch do it?

2:03 p.m. Another new pitcher Boyd to face Willie Taveras in the 9th.

2:05 p.m. Boyd walks Taveras on 5 pitches, nobody out. Cano up.

2:06 p.m. Hit and run is on Cano goes 4-3 tying run on second one out. Hanley Ramirez up.

2;08 p.m. Jansen makes a great play to prevent a wild pitch 2-1

2:09 p.m. Taveras is thrown out trying to steal third, what an IDIOT!

2:10 p.m. Ramirez walks 2 out go ahead run at the plate. Bautista is up. Pinch running for Ortiz doesn’t look so bright right now.

2:12 p.m. Ramirez is running call he is safe at 2nd but the pitch is strike 3! DUTCH WIN DUTCH WIN!

This is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen since the Sox came back against the Yanks in 04. My post game review here.

Update Phil Rizutto lives Holy Cow! Dutch shock Dominicans in World Baseball opener

Update 2: The part dutch David Pinto is happy too.

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