Cuba Falls 5-2 to USA in Holland

HAVANA TIMES — Cuba continued its poor play in Holland losing its second game to the United States on Sunday by a score of 5-3.  The islanders had opened the tournament with a surprise 3-2 loss to Puerto Rico.

Cuba has three games remaining vs. China Taipei, Japan and The Netherlands. By winning all three games they could still qualify for the four-team semifinals.

On Sunday, USA leadoff batter Trea Turner (2B) had three hits in four at bats, including two doubles, two runs scored and one RBI, to lead his team. First baseman D.J. Petersen also added a solo homer.

The winning pitcher was reliever Carlos Rondon who pitched the sixth and seventh innings without allowing a run.

For Cuba, starter Freddy Asiel Alvarez took the loss allowing three runs, two earned in six innings.

Alredo Despaigne hit a solo homer for one of Cuba’s runs and Yulieski Gourriel had a double and drove in the other.

Game 3 for Cuba vs. China Taipei was rained out on Tuesday with a rescheduling planned for Wednesday.

Later today, HT will have a more complete analysis from Cuban baseball expert Peter C. Bjarkman on the USA-Cuba game, Cuba’s performance thus far, and the game time for tomorrow.