It took more than four and a half hours of play in Rimini, but after eleven innings Bologna pulled out the win 4-3 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Bologna took another commanding initial lead, scoring three times in the top of the first inning as Rimini starter Hernandez would give up two hits, walk three, and oncork two wild pitches in his six batters faced, before leaving after just one out. Teran was masterful, allowing just two hits in 5.2 scoreless innings, folled by Cubillan who added three scoreless innings as well. The two great relief appearances allowed Rimini to come back to force extra innings with a single run in the second on another Bologna error, another on a Flores homer in the seventh, and tied the game in the 8th as Celli singled and scored on a Bertagnon sac fly aided again by a Bologna error.
In the 10th Bologna threatened, loading the bases after a Liverziani single and a Marval double, but a force play at home and a strikeout got Rimin iout of it. Rimini matched in the bottom of the inning, as Zappone singled, Bologna was unable to get an out on the first sacrifice attempt, and the second sacrifice put runners on second and third with one out. Cadoni relieved, and intentionally walked Bertagnon to load the bases before striking out De Simoni. Bocchi then came on to retire Retrosi to send the game to the 11th.
In the 11th Bologna scored what would become the winning run on a Liverziani RBI single. In the bottom of the inning, Rimini would again threaten with back to back one out singles, but as Mayora headed to third, Ramos rounded first base too far and was cut down by Cedeno on a game changing moment. Rather than first and third with one out, Rimini was left with a runner on third and two outs. Riccardo De Santis came in to face the red hot Zappone who had already once before won a game for Rimini when they were down to their final out. It was not to be this time, as Zappone flared a 1-2 curveball into centerfield, but which couldn't find the grass and finished in the center fielder's glove to end the game.
Bologna looks to close out the series Wednesday night, while Rimini hopes to stay alive and send the series back to Bologna this weekend.
