Cuba One Away from Five Game Sweep

By Circles Robinson

HAVANA TIMES, Sept. 25 ­– Cuba’s thrashing of visiting Nicaragua appears to indicate the island’s baseball team is ready for the upcoming Pan American Games and World Cup qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico on October 1-13.

The Cubans won on Saturday by a score of 10-3, following 5-1, 11-0 and 8-1 victories.  The two teams meet in their last exhibition game on Sunday afternoon at Havana’s Latinoamericano stadium.

Veteran Norge Luis Vera picked up the win going five innings and allowing two runs on five hits. Mario Peña took the loss for Nicaragua allowing five runs in the first 4.1 innings.

Alexander Malleta led his team with three hits including a homer and 3 RBIs.  Slugger Alfredo Despaigne had two hits and also three runs batted in.  Giorvis Duvergel had three hits to help the cause.

The Nicaraguans did score more runs than in the previous match ups and got a home run from Ronald Garth.

The Cuban coaching staff is expected to announce its final 25-man roster for Puerto Rico following the series.

Sunday’s game will be broadcast live by Cubavision Internacional at 2:00 EST.