Jakub Ondráček, Hroši © Lenka Brožová/Photobank ČBA

EXL: Jablonec has its first series win. Hroši with loosing streak

15.5.2021 Zuzana Ferková

Eight games were played in Extraliga and away teams had the upper hand, as they won six of them.

Second game in the series, between two bottom teams in the league saw Jablonec play in Blansko. The game was close for a long time, since home Jakub Kostka and away A.J. Fell had a good game on the mound and they both remained in the game for seven innings, allowing only three runs each. First run of the game came after an unnecessary error in Blansko defense, who didn’t cover the home base with runner at third and naturally, Jablonec took advantage.

The game changed once bullpen came in play. Away James Smiley only allowed two hits and no runs in two innings. Home David Farkaš had issues with control. Jablonec scored two runs from the walks he issued.

With the second win Jablonec is going to win the series. This became their first series win in Extraliga. Furthermore, they will get a chance for a sweep on Sunday.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Blesk Jablonec	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	1	1	5	7	4
Blansko	0	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	3	7	0

The rain postponed game between Arrows and Hroši on Friday, but both teams agreed to play it in Brno on Saturday. Fans from both camps could look forward to an unplanned doubleheader. In the first game Arrows managed to get a lead early, winning 6-0 after two innings. Hroši starter Lukáš Hlouch remained on the mound for six innings, but he allowed Ostrava eight runs. Arrows starter Ondřej Satoria threw a complete game and for the first time in the season, he got double digit strikeouts. Ostrava won the first game 9-4.

The second game continued in a similar manner. Hroši starter Jan Kucin only lasted till second inning, he allowed Arrows four runs. Ostrava added three more runs in the third inning and with score 7-1 they had enough cushion not to feel pressure for the rest of the game. Home team had trouble with their bats as they were only able to score three runs. Hroši lost third game in a row and they only have three wins in past ten games. Performances like these saw them drop from the top of Extraliga table.

G 1	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Cardion Hroši Brno	0	0	1	2	0	0	0	0	1	4	10	3
Arrows Ostrava	1	5	0	0	0	2	0	1	–	9	11	0

G 2	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Arrows Ostrava	3	1	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	10	15	1
Cardion Hroši Brno	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	3	6	0

After Friday win, Draci traveled to Vysočina region. Nuclears started Ryan Johnson, who wouldn’t let a runner on base for three innings. Everything changed in the fourth inning when Arnošt Dubový got on base after a nice bunt and it was he, who scored the first run of the game. In the end, Draci scored four runs in five innings against Johnson.

Home team was unable to find a way around David Mergans. He threw six innings and kept Třebíč scoreless. In the seventh inning, his teammates added four more runs and it seemed visitors were to get a comfortable win. However, home team pushed offensively and they were able to score five runs at the end of the game. This wasn’t enough to get a win and Draci took the win in the series with one game still to go.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Draci Brno	0	0	0	2	2	0	4	0	1	9	11	0
Třebíč Nuclears	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	1	5	9	3

Prague derby between Eagles and Tempo offered a rather interesting doubleheader. The Friday game at Krč was postponed due to weather and it was to be played on Saturday at Tempo. The score swung between the teams in the first game. Eagles were able to take a narrow win, thanks to Matěj Hejma who had six RBI. He also scored two homeruns.

The second game went in a similar manner. Tempo slowly built its lead, however, they lost it in the seventh and eight inning. Michal Antoň hit a grand slam for Eagles, contributing greatly to their comeback. This was also his first HR in Extraliga.

Tempo found their hero in the ninth inning. Michal Zelenka scored a solo homerun and gave his team the lead. This time, Tempo played it safe and they sent Jake Rabinowitz to close the game. American pitcher didn’t hesitate. With two striekouts he kept his opponents from scoring and Tempo took 7-6 win. The winner of the series will be decided on Sunday.

G1	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Eagles Praha	1	1	0	2	2	4	0	0	0	10	12	1
Tempo Praha	4	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	2	9	14	5

G2	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Tempo Praha	0	1	0	0	0	3	2	0	1	7	10	1
Eagles Praha	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	2	0	6	7	3

Kotlářka was unable to take a series in past five weeks and this was one of the reasons, why they were eight in Extraliga standings. They got another chance in a doubleheader against Hluboká. The games were special for both sides, as several Hluboká players used to play for Kotlářka. The former players, however, showed no remorse against their opponent, as they contributed to a huge win in the first game. Jan Novák threw seven excellent innings, Martin Mužík and Matěj Vlach added a homerun each. In the end, Hluboká won 9-1.

The second game was much closer. Kotlářka opened the score in the second inning with a solo homerun by Scott Mulhearn. However, visitors leveled the score in the following inning and they added two more runs in the fourth inning. This saw Tate Gillespie being substituted. William Parsons only allowed one runner on base in next three innings. Home team had to wait for their chance until the seventh inning, when James Boyce substituted Parsons. Kotlářka scored a run in the seventh inning and with a close game, there was a lot of anticipation. However, Boyce didn’t let pressure get to him and Hluboká took 3-2 win. After the loss Kotlářka will loose another series and they start slipping away from TOP 6.