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By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com
SAN JUAN -- The Netherlands saved the best for last, closing out its World Baseball Classic experience on the highest of high notes.
Shairon Martis threw a seven-inning no-hitter, while the Dutch offense exploded for 10 runs on 17 hits, as the Netherlands rolled to a 10-0 mercy-rule victory.
The Netherlands finished its Pool C schedule with a 1-2 record, finishing third behind Puerto Rico and Cuba. Panama went winless in the bracket, finishing in last place at 0-3.
Although the Netherlands struggled to put anything together in its first two games, hitting a collective .156 against Puerto Rico and Cuba, the offense found its groove early and often on Friday.
Four of the first five batters singled, driving Panama starter Miguel Gomez from the game after just one-third of an inning. Down 1-0, left-hander Roger Deago entered the game with the bases loaded, but Dirk van't Klooster doubled to center, plating a pair of runs to give the Netherlands a 3-0 lead.
Two consecutive errors by shortstop Orlando Miller and an RBI single by Hainley Statia increased the lead to 5-0, as the Netherlands sent 10 men to the plate in the opening frame.
The Dutch offense struck again in the third, when Hainley Statia singled in a run to boost the lead to six runs. The Netherlands loaded the bases with two outs, but Panama escaped any further damage when Bienvenido Cordero retired Ivanon Coffie to strand the three runners.
While the attention was on the offense, Martis, a prospect in the Giants' organization, cruised through Panama's lineup with ease. The right-hander, who will turn 19 later this month, retired nine of the first 10 batters, issuing only a two-out walk to Olmedo Saenz in the first inning.
The Netherlands added a run in the fourth on an RBI single by van't Klooster, making it a 7-0 game. Martis went right back to work, sitting Panama down in order in the bottom of the inning to carry his no-hitter through four innings.
He got some more support from his offense in the fifth, as the Dutch tacked on three more runs to take a 10-0 lead.
Martis had little trouble in the fifth and sixth, retiring all six batters he faced -- on just 10 total pitches -- to extend his streak to 15 in a row. From the fourth through the sixth, Martis threw just 18 pitches, keeping his pitch count to an impressive 57 through six frames.
Despite having just seven pitches remaining before his pitch-count limit, Martis came back out for the seventh. Pinch-hitter Adolfo Rivera hit a hot shot to third which hit Coffie's glove, glancing into left field. The official scorer ruled it an error, keeping the no-no alive.
Martis retired Saenz for the first out, throwing pitch No. 64. On his 65th pitch, Martis got pinch-hitter Cesar Quintero to ground into a 5-4-3 double play, completing the no-hitter.
SAN JUAN -- The Netherlands saved the best for last, closing out its World Baseball Classic experience on the highest of high notes.
Shairon Martis threw a seven-inning no-hitter, while the Dutch offense exploded for 10 runs on 17 hits, as the Netherlands rolled to a 10-0 mercy-rule victory.
The Netherlands finished its Pool C schedule with a 1-2 record, finishing third behind Puerto Rico and Cuba. Panama went winless in the bracket, finishing in last place at 0-3.
Although the Netherlands struggled to put anything together in its first two games, hitting a collective .156 against Puerto Rico and Cuba, the offense found its groove early and often on Friday.
Four of the first five batters singled, driving Panama starter Miguel Gomez from the game after just one-third of an inning. Down 1-0, left-hander Roger Deago entered the game with the bases loaded, but Dirk van't Klooster doubled to center, plating a pair of runs to give the Netherlands a 3-0 lead.
Two consecutive errors by shortstop Orlando Miller and an RBI single by Hainley Statia increased the lead to 5-0, as the Netherlands sent 10 men to the plate in the opening frame.
The Dutch offense struck again in the third, when Hainley Statia singled in a run to boost the lead to six runs. The Netherlands loaded the bases with two outs, but Panama escaped any further damage when Bienvenido Cordero retired Ivanon Coffie to strand the three runners.
While the attention was on the offense, Martis, a prospect in the Giants' organization, cruised through Panama's lineup with ease. The right-hander, who will turn 19 later this month, retired nine of the first 10 batters, issuing only a two-out walk to Olmedo Saenz in the first inning.
The Netherlands added a run in the fourth on an RBI single by van't Klooster, making it a 7-0 game. Martis went right back to work, sitting Panama down in order in the bottom of the inning to carry his no-hitter through four innings.
He got some more support from his offense in the fifth, as the Dutch tacked on three more runs to take a 10-0 lead.
Martis had little trouble in the fifth and sixth, retiring all six batters he faced -- on just 10 total pitches -- to extend his streak to 15 in a row. From the fourth through the sixth, Martis threw just 18 pitches, keeping his pitch count to an impressive 57 through six frames.
Despite having just seven pitches remaining before his pitch-count limit, Martis came back out for the seventh. Pinch-hitter Adolfo Rivera hit a hot shot to third which hit Coffie's glove, glancing into left field. The official scorer ruled it an error, keeping the no-no alive.
Martis retired Saenz for the first out, throwing pitch No. 64. On his 65th pitch, Martis got pinch-hitter Cesar Quintero to ground into a 5-4-3 double play, completing the no-hitter.
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