World Baseball Classic Qualifier Regensburg Game Two: Czech Republic vs Germany

REGENSBURG, Germany?

Matt Weaver slugged a grand slam to cap an eight-run fifth inning and pitcher Mike Bolsenbroek struck out six and let only one ball out of the infield to lead host Germany to a 16-1 rout of the Czech Republic in Friday night's opening-round game of a World Baseball Classic qualifying series.

The victory moves Germany into a Saturday night matchup against Canada, which defeated Great Britain in the series opener on Thursday. Britain and the Czech Republic will meet in a Saturday day game.

The winner of the double-elimination tournament in Regensburg -- one of four being played around the world this fall -- will qualify for the 2013 World Baseball Classic. The winners of the four qualifying series will join 12 teams already in the field for the WBC, whose finals are scheduled for AT&T Park in San Francisco in March.

Germany's Eric Suttle opened the bottom of the first with a ground-rule double to right center. He and Matt Vance, who was hit by a pitch from Czech starter Michal Sobotka, came around to score on a triple by Max Kepler, who later scored on a groundout to make it 3-0.

The Czech Republic cut into that lead in the fifth with its only run of the game. Jakub Sladek walked to start the inning and he went to third on an infield single by Martin Drong. Sladek crossed the plate after Bolsenbroek threw wild on a pickoff attempt.

Germany's eight-run fifth began when Toby Gardenhire doubled to left and then Suttle beat out a bunt. Gardenhire scored on a sacrifice bunt. An error, a single and three walks combined to produce three more runs before Weaver mashed a bases-loaded pitch from Czech reliever Petr Minarik high over the left field fence.

Germany added five more runs in the sixth, the final one coming when Jendrick Speer was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. At that point, the umpires invoked the 15-run rule to end the game.

Bolsenbroek allowed five hits in 5.2 innings, but none of the hits left the infield. The only action for the German outfielders was a flyout to right by Matej Hejma to end the fourth inning.

Source: http://www.ktuu.com/sports/ktuu-world-baseball-classic-qualifier-regensburg-game-two-czech-republic-vs-germany-20120921,0,1885985.story?track=rss

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