EXL: Draci and Eagles won Friday games
There were two games of Friday to start the 7th Extraliga round. The game between Hluboká and Arrows had to be postponed due to weather.
Tempo Praha arrived to Brno to challenge Draci. However, they were already behind in the second inning, when hosts scored 3 runs. Visiting manager Lubomír Čuhel penned himself as the starting pitcher and in the end he remained on the mound for 5.2 innings, where Draci scored 6 runs. Pitching coach Marcus Fukuhara then finished the game on the mound without allowing any runs.
Hosts started with Jhenderson Hurtado, who struck out 12 in six innings and he only allowed 1 hits. Jan Vašourek then added 3 more strikeouts as he finished the game. Reigning champions won 6-0, which keeps them on the top of the table.
Eagles beat Třebíč
Nuclears sent Cameron Liss on the mound to start the first game against Eagles. Liss has a good season so far, however, the hosts were able to pressure him in the second inning and, with a help of an error, they scored 6 runs. Šimon Blažek helped his team to increase their lead with a two run homerun. Lukáš Smějkal came in relief in the 5th inning and his performance against Eagles was better, as he didn’t allow any runs.
Japanese Natsuki Tamba had a good game for Eagles, when he threw 7 innings and only allowed 1 run to Nuclears. This was thanks to a sacrificial hits from Ryan Johnson which batted in Vojtěch Šabacký.
Visitors came alive in the seventh inning when Jan Fejt came in for Tamba. Fejt had issues with the strikezone and in the end he was substituted before the inning finished. Tadeáš Zavadil came in for him with 2 outs and the score 7-4. He quickly wrapped up the inning. He didn’t allow anyone on the bases in the ninth inning, giving Eagles their win. Nuclears lost despite having the same number of hits, and one less error than the hosts. Eagles‘ strong second inning ensured their win.