Cuba defended its undefeated record with steely resolve, defeating Colombia 7-4 on Sunday. This victory marked their second win in the VI World Baseball Classic and solidified their position in Group A. Under the warm skies of Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Germán Mesa’s team was sustained by their pitching prowess and an offense that found the necessary sparks. To tip the scales in a game that demanded patience, character, and composure.
The Colombians capitalized on the wildness of starting pitcher Denny Larrondo. Also who issued three walks in the opening game, to score early. However, the lead was short-lived.
Two home runs by Ariel Martínez—with two bases loaded—and Erisbel Arruebarrena drove in four runs. Also blasting Luis Patiño off the mound and giving the Cubans the lead.
Larrondo pitched two hitless innings. Yariel Rodríguez also pitched two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Pedro Santos—who issued three walks and allowed a single—left the mound in the sixth inning with a runner on first. Later scored on a sacrifice fly by Tito Polo.
Darién Nuñez managed to close out the inning, before an error by the center fielder allowed Cuba to score three more runs in the sixth. Two of them driven in by a triple from Yiddi Cappé off a pitch from Ezequiel Zabaleta. So the third reliever used by José Mosquera’s team. Enmanuel Chapman couldn’t hold on on the mound, and the Panamanians, with two walks, two hits, and a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded. Scored two runs in the seventh inning.
Luis Romero extinguished the Colombian fire, and Yoan López and Raidel Martínez took care of the rest. Martínez issued the tenth walk for the Cuban pitching staff that day, but struck out two batters.
With this victory, the largest of the Antilles confirms that it has arrived in San Juan determined to advance without hesitation. And to play with the composure of teams that carry years of baseball experience and know how to walk the tightrope of major events.
In this group, Puerto Rico and Cuba now lead the standings with a 2-0 record. While Canada is 1-0, Panama is 0-2, and Colombia is eliminated at 0-3. As the tournament begins to tighten like a knot in the throat of the contenders.
With information from Prensa Latina
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