Photo: Yuhki Ohboshi (JIT)

Havana, February 28 (RHC)-- Cuba defeated the Wei Chuan Dragons 4x0 today in Taipei, in its preparation for the V World Baseball Classic.

The credit on one of the payrolls of the Taiwanese professional league was coined by Yadiel Rodriguez and came after four consecutive setbacks of the Caribbean, now with a balance of 5-3 in their preparation in Asia, which began in Japan.

"I went out to "walk" the game, to accumulate pitches," said the right-hander after opening four chapters of one hit, six strikeouts, deliveries of up to 97 miles and lethal breaks.

"The goal is to get in shape for the event, to contribute from this mission, which motivates me for the responsibility it implies," said the Chunichi Dragons reliever of the Japanese circuit.

His teammates twice activated the scoreboard in the third act with a double by Yoelkis Guibert, a triple by Erisbel Arruebarrena and a run by Alfredo Despaigne, who in the eighth homered another run.

One episode later, Arruebarruena did it to seal an outcome that he described as "expected, the result of a better approach of the team, which was proposed during the analysis of yesterday's defeat".

From the mound, those who gave continuity to Yariel's work also closed the doors to liberties: left-handers Onelki García and Yoenni Yera, and right-hander Raidel Martínez, who got a save with four outs based on high-powered "missiles".

"I felt very good, especially in the first inning of work, and although in the second I got a little overconfident (two bases on balls) we got the zero, which was the important thing," said Garcia.

Mentor Armando Johnson, for his part, said he was satisfied because the setbacks did not dent the attitude of his pupils, and praised their dedication in the face of the limitations of not having the entire squad.

This Wednesday will be a rest day. A match against Taiwan Cooperative Bank will take place one day later, before the team travels to Taichung, where they will play two more warm-up matches before the start of the tournament.

TOTALS

Cuba: 4-12-0

Dragons: 0-2-0

Won: Yariel Rodríguez

Lost: Yu Cheng Kuo

Saved: Raidel Martínez

CUBA'S OFFENSE

Roel Santos (rf): 5-0

Yoelkis Guibert (cf): 5-2, 1 2B

Erisbel Arruebarruena (ss): 5-2, 1 HR, 2 CI, 1 3B

Alfredo Despaigne (bd): 4-1, 1 H, 2 CI

Yadir Drake (1b): 4-3

Dayán García (3b): 4-1

Yurisbel Gracial (LF): 4-2

Andrys Pérez (r): 4-0

Yadil Mujica (2b): 3-1

Men left on bases: 9

CUBA'S PITCHING

Yariel Rodriguez: 4.0 innings, 1 H, 6 K, 2 BB

Onelki García: 2.0 innings, 4 K, 2 BB

Yoanni Yera: 1.2 innings, 1 H, 4 K

Raidel Martinez: 1.1 innings, 2 K