Everybody knows the power and historial of the Cuban team in all international events. In addition, Cubans and the USA are now the only team undefeated at this World Cup. But yesterday in Amsterdam, Spain faced the Cubans in the field with courage, and even they did a good game, specially up to 6th inning, keeping the score in 3-0.
Pedro Belmonte was the Spanish starter, and blanked the Cubans the first inning. But in second, Cepeda reach first with an error, Despaigne doubled to the left line, and Abreu’s single drove in two first RBI. Olivera singled later, but a good defence play put Navas out with a great assistance 8-5 (Figueroa-Domero).
Spain did not get any run, thanks to the labour by Miguel Gonzalez at the mound (winner, 7 IP, 5 SO, 3 BB), who only allowed 2 hits for Spaniards.
Belmonte and the whole defence did a good job in next innings. But the Cubans didn’t want another tied game like Barcelona’s first round game (when Spain was ahead in 8th inning), so they improve the pressure at the last third of the game: In 7th, 1st baseman Abreu -one of the best Cuban promises- led off with a double, Pestano bunted for sacrifice, and after a strike out, Olivera got an RBI single to middle infield.
In next inning, Jose E. Cruz replaced Belmonte at the mound. But his first batter Gourriel homered. After three bases on balls, Cruz was replaced by young pitcher Jorge Balboa: Abreu produced a RBI fielder´s choice with the first out in second, but great catcher Ariel Pestano homered, driving home 3 more runs. Two flies out closed the inning.
Cuba cut any kind of reaction with two effective relievers: M Garcia replaced M Gonzalez in 8th inning, and J. Martinez in 9th: both relievers did not allow any runs or hits, getting 2 strike outs each.
And even in 9th Cuba scored two more, with singles by L Martin and Pestano, and a RBI grounder by Abreu.
Today Spain faces Nicaragua in a key game. The Nicaraguans has a strong team with the bat, getting 13 homeruns at the first round games, but sure this competitive team Spain wants to confirm their quality at this World Cup.
Click here for complete box score of the game
