ITALY – The Italian Baseball League (IBL) is shaping up to be a three team race with Telemarket Rimini, Fortitudo Bologna, and Danesi Nettuno vying for the top spot after five weeks of action.

Rimini, which boasts the league’s top-ranked pitching corps (2.38 ERA), took two of three games against Reggio Emilia this past weekend to remain the front-runner with a 11-4 record. Prized free agent acquisition Rafael Garcia is 4-0 with a 0.79 ERA, while right-hander Sandy Patrone (3-0) has also started the season in winning fashion. The bullpen is anchored by the 2008 ERA leader, Gustavo Martinez.

Offensively, Rimini has yet to hit full stride (.266) but has still managed to plate 85 runs. Eduardo Rios, Daniel Gonzalez, Mario Chiarini and Ivanon Coffie are the heart of the Pirate’s batting order.

Bologna leads the IBL with a .291 batting mark and swept a three-game series against De Angelis Godo to stay one game back with a 10-5 card. Last year’s regular season champion have won five straight and appear primed to make another title run.

Bologna dropped their season opener to T&A San Marino a year ago before reeling off 15 straight wins. And, the return of American slugger Richard Austin to an already potent offensive mix featuring Eddy Garabito, Juan C. Infante, Matt Stocco, and Joseph Mazzuca.

Nettuno limited Montepaschi Grosseto to just three runs in a three-game sweep to remain a close third at 9-6. Giovanni Carrara, Jeff Farnsworth, and Massimiliano Masin anchor the starting rotation while Remigio Leal is the main man out of the bullpen for a group with a 3.60 ERA.

HONOR ROLL

Jhonny Carvajal, Parma
Hit a double and home run in 4-3 win over San Marino on Thursday.

Dewis Navarro, Nettuno
Went 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI Thursday night.

Eddy Garabito, Bologna
Had three hits, a homer, and three RBIs in 7-5 win over Godo.

Leonardo Zileri, Parma
Was 4-for-6 with a double and two RBIs against San Marino.

Paul Macaluso, Reggio
Doubled, homered and tossed a scoreless inning against Rimini.

Jesus Matos, Bologna
Threw a complete game six-hit shutout with nine K’s on Thursday.

Tiago Da Silva, San Marino
Pitched eight innings of three-hit ball in 5-1 win on Friday.

Giovanni Carrara, Nettuno
Surrendered four hits over five scoreless innings Friday night.

Rafael Garcia, Rimini
Struck out five and gave up two hits in five shutout innings.

Sandy Patrone, Rimini
Allowed one run and three hits over seven innings with five K’s.

HITTING LEADERS
.393 – Juan Camilo, Nettuno
.387 – Juan C. Infante, Bologna
.383 – Jhonny Carvajal, Parma
.367 – Leonardo Zileri, Parma
.348 – Matt Stocco, Bologna

PITCHING LEADERS
0.67 – Enmanuel Ulloa, Godo
0.79 – Rafael Garcia, Rimini
1.41 – Horacio Estrada, San Marino
1.62 – Yulmann Ribeiro, Bologna
1.67 – Tiago Da Silva, San Marino

STANDINGS

Photo courtesy of Ferrini/FIBS

Tags: Italy