It was “déjà vu” for Rivero and UnipolSai Bologna on Thursday evening in Rimini when Riccardo Bertagnon walked off the visitors with a 2 RBI single in the bottom of a 2 run 9th. It was Rivero’s second blown save of the Italian Baseball Series, having also blown a 4 run lead in the series opener last Friday in Bologna. For the second week in a row Joey Williamson was dominant on the bump deep into the game, going 6 innings of 3 hit, 1 run ball, before handing the ball off to Rivero who’s struggles continued for the second strait week (L - 2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 SO). The game was lost by Bologna in the bottom of the 9th after Crepaldi had come on in relief of Rivero who had loaded the bases with two outs. On a 1-0 count Bertagnon came up with the game ending walk off 2 RBI single to right, scoring both Gomez and Di Fabio for the win.
UnipolSai Bologna seemed to have control in the game after having had chased Gonzalez in the 5th with the two run frame, putting the game at 2-1 Rimini. With Gonzalez out of the game Escalona came up huge for the Pirates, tossing up 4 innings of scores ball, before handing the ball off to Torres (winning pitcher) with 1 out in the 9th. Bologna needed just one more out to take the 2-1 series lead, however the normally lights out Rivero couldn’t close the deal, leading to Betagnon’s game winner off of Crepaldi with two outs in the 9th.
These two clubs will go at it again in Rimini tonight at 8:30 pm in game four of the 2014 Italian Baseball Series.
