Cuba Losses 2nd Straight in Holland

HAVANA TIMES, July 14 — Cuba had another disappointing day at the Haarlem Baseball Week in Holland on Wednesday with its second straight loss, this one coming at the hands of Japan by a score of 4-2.

The game was much closer than the embarrassing 10-0 loss to the host Netherlands on Tuesday.  The Cuba B-Team is in second place in the five team event with a 3-2 record.

Japan had solid pitching from Yudai W. Ohno who went the route allowing seven hits and only one earned run, a solo homer from second baseman Danel Castro in the third inning.

Freddy Asiel Alvarez opened for Cuba and took the loss pitching 6.1 innings allowing all four Japan runs, three earned, runs on five hits.  Norberto Gonzalez closed with 1.2 scoreless innings.

Cuban baseball expert Peter C. Bjarkman, on hand for the games, will present his analysis of the tournament on Thursday for HT readers.

Cuba’s final three games are against the Chinese Taipei on Thursday, the USA on Friday and a rematch with The Netherlands on Sunday.