Orioles’ prospect Jonathan Schoop heroics see Netherlands shock Cuba in World Baseball Classic
The Dutch shocked the Cubans at the World Baseball Classic as they defeated the favourites by a score line of 6-2. Orioles’ Jonathan Schoop was one of the stars of the show as the 21-year-old shortstop hit a three run home-run in the sixth innings and later
hit a triple to seal things off for his team.
Dutch team are now almost guaranteed a spot in the semi-finals. They will next play the winner of the Japan and Chinese Taipei game. The team knows that they need to win it regardless who they are playing.
Hensley Meulens, manager of the Netherlands was a happy man at the end of the day. He sees the victory as a great moment for his country and also likes how momentum is being carried with the team. He also sees that scoring more often is helping the defense
in performing better as well.
"It's a great moment for our country," Meulens said. "We have the momentum on our side right now. The guys are playing great. They're scoring first to keep the pressure off the pitching, they play great defense."
Meanwhile, the Cuban camp is not a very happy place and manager Victor Mesa did not hold back after the defeat. When he was inquired about the quality of the Dutch side, he was pretty candid that the team was not as good in his opinion. Mesa also felt that
his team missed too many opportunities and should have scored more runs.
"I don't think they're a very good team, to be honest," Mesa said. "I think we could've scored more. I think we should've scored four or five more runs."
The defeat is the biggest shock of this year’s World Baseball Classic in 2013. The Cubans have always been amongst the top teams and strong favourites to lift the trophy.
As for the Dutch, the team is living the dream right now and may turn out to be the party spoilers for more than one team. Although there is no great expectation from them in the event, they may just pull something special off this year.
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