USA Blasts Cuba 11-1 to Clinch Series
HAVANA TIMES — Cuba’s national baseball team was unable to contain Team USA batting on Saturday, losing by a lopsided 11-1 game in North Carolina. The US university selection guaranteed a best of five series victory with its third win in the first four games.
Cuba’s pitchers had allowed only allowed 5 runs in the three previous games, losing 2-0 twice and winning 5-1 in game three.
The 10-run, 16-hit win for Team USA ties the largest run margin for the Collegiate National Team over Cuba in series history, dating back to 1985, reported USA Baseball.com.
Cuba’s starting pitcher Ismel Jimenez, the loser, went six innings allowing three runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out five. The relatively close game was put out of reach against the ineffective Cuban relievers Erlys Casanova, Yander Guevara and Yuniel Cano.
Robert Yyler piched four shutout innings of one hit baseball to get the win for the USA.
The US had home runs from Ryan Howard, 3-for-4, and Nick Banks, who went 3-for-5 with three RBIs.
Cuba’s lone run came in the final inning with a two out RBI double from Rudy Reyes.
The Cuban team has suffered two costly desertions since arriving in the US. Starting outfielder Yadiel Hernandez and third baseman Yander de la O, both abandoned the squad, reportedly in search of contracts in Major League Baseball.
The final game of the exhibition series takes place on Monday at 7 p.m. in Cary, N.C., at the USA Baseball National Training Complex. The game can be watched live on internet at:
Specific to Mexico, cross-border movement is a net zero. Lifting the US embargo is not the answer. Lifting the burden of socialism and Castro tyranny is the solution to economic problems in Cuba. Most Cuban athletes escape Castro tyranny without any concrete offers. They leave hoping for a better life and the opportunity to practice there sport freely.
Gee, if I was a professional sportsperson, I would also desert my country if someone offered me millions of dollars to play for their team. That is not a good example of the exodus from Cuba.
As far as the other people leaving Cuba, how many are leaving Mexico and other countries for a better economic lifestyle in the U.S. . Maybe, just maybe, if we would lift the embargo things would economically change in Cuba and then I’m sure there would be much less people leaving the country.
Only TWO desertions? A good week for Cuban sports.