WBCq: Czechs beat France to keep the dream of WBC alive

Czechs played World Baseball Classic qualification game against France on Sunday. This game would decide the first team eliminated from the qualification.

Pavel Chadim’s team had a great start to the game, after Vojtěch Menšík, once again as a leadoff, hit a homerun and gave Czechs te lead. Only a few moments later Martin Červenka’s double, which finished at the warning track, scored in the second run.

Lukáš Ercoli started on the mound and he only solidified his top form. He only started to have troubles in the fifth inning, as he was closing in to 85 pitches limit. Martin Schneider then came in for him and he kept France scoreless, despite inheriting 2 runners from Ercoli.

Czechs remained dangerous in the offense, but they were unable to turn the opportunities to runs. It was only in the sixth inning when Marek Chlup found a gap with bases loaded and Czech improved their lead to 4-0. An inning later Arnošt Dubový hit a line drive along the third base and Martin Mužík scored.

French scored the first run in the eighth inning after a hit from Ivan Acuna. But Czech responded right away, after Martin Červenka‚s hit turned into 2 RBIs.

Michal Kovala came to close the game in the ninth inning. Young pitcher, along with the defense, managed his task and so Czech celebrated their first win of the tournament. Czechs continue their journey on Tuesday, at 13:00 local time where they face the winner of the game between Germany and South Africa. France, nevertheless, was eliminated from the tournament.

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