hoping to qualify for the quarterfinals in the World Baseball Classic
By Mayli Estevez (El Toque)
HAVANA TIMES — The Cuban national baseball team lost its undefeated record in the VI World Baseball Classic, falling 4-1 to host Puerto Rico at San Juan’s Hiram Bithorn Stadium. With this defeat, Cuba now has only one option left: defeat Canada on March 11 to secure the second spot advancing to the next round of the tournament.
Beyond the final score, the real problem was an alarming offensive drought: just two hits in the entire game. In a tournament of this caliber, with high-level pitchers and razor-thin margins, that lack of production is a recipe for defeat.
The game was essentially decided early. A bases-loaded double by Puerto Rican captain Martín Maldonado against starter Julio Robaina tilted the balance in the second inning.
It was the blow that set the tone of the game and forced Cuba to play from behind. From that point on, Puerto Rico’s pitching did enough to contain Cuban attempts, while the home team’s offense added another run with a sacrifice fly by Carlos Cortes against reliever Yosimar Cousín.
“We’re happy about the victory. About that double, I can tell you I don’t remember anything. I don’t even remember what I did (…) You have to give credit to the hitters before me; they had good at-bats and managed to get on base so I could get the hit,” Maldonado said at the postgame press conference.
Puerto Rican manager Yadier Molina added that he was pleased with the team’s advance to the second round and said pitching will continue to be “their strength,” though “the offense will do what’s necessary to win.”
The only offensive spark for the Cubans came in the sixth inning, when Alfredo Despaigne hit a double that, combined with a defensive error, allowed Cuba’s only run to score.
Even so, the hit had historic value: Despaigne reached 29 hits in the history of the WBC tournament, placing him third all-time, behind only Cuba’s Frederich Cepeda and Puerto Rico’s Carlos Beltran.
“Puerto Rico’s pitching was was excellent. It’s a team that, if it gets ahead, will be hard to beat because its pitchers are impressive,” Mesa said at the press conference about his rivals.
The Cuban team currently sits in the next-to-last position in the tournament in batting average (.170), ahead of only Brazil (.130).
Beyond the loss on March 9, the game also left a historic note for Cuba: Alexei Ramírez, from Pinar del Rio, became the oldest player to appear in all six editions of the World Baseball Classic.
The victory secured Puerto Rico the first ticket from the group to the quarterfinals and left Cuba with no margin for error.
Now the schedule gives Cuba a day of rest before the decisive matchup against Canada, while the Canadians will face Puerto Rico today. Even though the Puerto Ricans have already qualified, they will surely come out looking to win in front of their home fans.
The Cuba–Canada game will be “do or die,” and for that challenge manager German Mesa will hand the ball to left-hander Livan Moinelo, who already proved his worth in the opening game against Panama.
First published in Spanish by El Toque and translated and posted in English by Havana Times.
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