London Mets day 1 in the European Federations Cup Qualifiers

Mets in action in 2024

The London Mets arrived in Kristiansand, a picturesque town south of Oslo. Over the coming week they will face teams from Lithuania, Poland, Norway & Finland before hopefully returning to the final on the Saturday.

Game 1 would be a match up against Kaunas County Lithuania with both teams throwing their aces to have them rested for the final on Saturday.

For London, this would be Mitsuhiro Watanabe the Japanese starting pitcher who manager Derrick Cook has trusted with the ball in every game 1 so far in the domestic league.

From the outset it was clear this would be a pitchers duel. Lithuania’s pitcher struck out the first two hitters he faced before a Quin Cotton blast over the right field fence would give the Mets an early lead.

The game would stay close throughout with the Mets threatening at times, but never able to deal the decisive blow. An opportunity seemed to come in the 3rd inning where Joe Cosgrove would double followed by defensive miscues which gave the Mets bases loaded with only 1 out. Unfortunately, back to back strikeouts would work Kaunas out of a jam with no runs scored.

A big insurance run in the fifth then another in the top 7th, would give the Mets a 3-0 lead with pitcher Mitsu cruising through 6 innings.

Lithuania would fight back in the bottom of the 7th and with runners on 1st & 2nd with 2 outs and the score 3-1, manager Derrick Cook would go to the bullpen. Calling on Alex Deacon to shut the door, efficiency would be the name of the game, as in just 4 pitches, the team rookie would strike out the final batter to secure the team’s first win.

Tomorrow the Mets take on Silesia Rybnik Poland at 4pm U.K. time.