WBSC Premier 12

Havana, Nov 11 (RHC) - The Cuban baseball team said goodbye with a 2-0 victory over the Wei Chuang Dragons, in the last practice game it played in the run-up to the Premier 12.

In Monday's game, played at the Tianmu Stadium, the four pitchers used by mentor Armando Johnson against the Dragons, of the Chinese Taipei professional circuit, were accurate, allowing only three hits to their opponents, while offensively they gave up 8 hits.

Cuba decided the game in the third by giving Yadil Mujica a ticket and Yadir Dreke a run-scoring double, and widened the gap in the eighth by combining three rockets, one of them a run-scoring double by Lázaro Armenteros.

For the Cubans, Frank Luis Medina opened the game and allowed one hit in five innings, followed by Andy Vargas, Yankiel Mauri, and Raymond Figueredo.

With Monday's win, Cuba has seven wins and four losses during the tour that began in South Korea and ended in Taipei.

On Sunday, Cuba did not find the formula for the definitive comeback and lost 7x10 to the Banco Cooperativo team of the semi-professional league of Chinese Taipei.

Star left-hander Liván Moinelo pitched the opening inning with a hit and two strikeouts, but Pavel Hernández allowed six runs in the second and another two in the following inning, leaving the game with a remarkable 8-0 difference.

Yoelquis Guibert was the offensive leader of the Cuban team in Sunday's game, with three RBIs and an equal number of runs batted in.

On the other hand, Cuba's starting catcher, Andrys Pérez, evolved without setbacks after being hit by one of the segments of a bat that broke off when he made contact with the pitcher's delivery.

The impact occurred in the face shield, and according to Dr. Francisco Montesino, chief medical officer of the team, it left no consequences, beyond the initial slight traumatic concussion from which he recovered at the stadium itself.

Meanwhile, Group A of the III Premier 12 Baseball Tournament, which is being played in two Mexican stadiums, is in a tie mode, with its six teams showing a similar win-loss balance (1-1).

The third date will be played on Monday, with the Venezuela-United States and Panama-Mexico duels. The Netherlands and Puerto Rico will enjoy their day off.

The six-way tie was created when the three teams that had lost on the opening day won on Sunday.

The U.S. national team defeated the Netherlands in eight innings (12x2), supported by an offense of 13 hits, including three home runs.

Matt Shaw, who hit 5-4 with a double, a home run and seven RBIs, was outstanding with his bat.

Meanwhile, debutant Panama, despite committing four errors, defeated Venezuela 4x2.

They clinched the victory with two runs in the sixth inning, which included a solo home run by Jhonny Santos.

Finally, Mexico defeated Puerto Rico 7x5, with a hit by Luis Rodríguez and a save by Rubén Alaniz.

Alonso Gaitán and José Rojas, both with three RBIs, stood out for the Mexicans on offense.

Group B actions will begin on November 13 in Taipei of China and Japan, with Cuba, Dominican Republic, Australia, South Korea and the hosts Japan and Taipei of China.

Cuba makes its debut on November 13 against the Dominican Republic.

The top two teams from each bracket will advance to the Super Round to be hosted by Japan.

Photo: Yuhki Ohboshi

Sources: PL and Jit