Cuba Tops Holland 4-1 Takes Baseball Cup
By Circles Robinson
HAVANA TIMES, Oct. 31 — Cuba got stellar pitching from starter Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez and reliever Jonder Martinez, and clutch hitting from Yorbis Borroto and Alexei Bell to defeat Holland 4-1 and win the Intercontinental Cup played in Taiwan.
Gonzalez allowed only two hits, both doubles, no runs, one walk and struck out six to get the win. Jonder Martinez got the final three outs after Yadier Pedroso got in a jam opening the ninth.
Cuba’s runs came on a two-run double by Borroto in the third and a two run homer by Bell in the eighth.
Holland scored its run on a walk and three singles off Pedroso to open the ninth inning, but saw the fire put out by Martinez who needed only nine pitches (a fly out and two strikeouts) to end the game and the tournament.
The win was a repeat of four years ago when Cuba defeated Holland 6-3.
Cuba’s second baseman Hector Olivera was named the MVP of the tournament after leading with a .593 batting average, .926 slugging percentage and 10 RBIs.
Other Cubans selected to the All Tournament team were third baseman Yulieski Gourriel, centerfielder Giorvis Duvergel and right handed pitcher Yadier Pedroso.
Final standings
Cuba 8-0, The Netherlands 5-3, Italy 5-3, Chinese Taipei, 5-3, Japan 4-4, South Korea 3-5, Nicaragua 3-3, Czech Rep. 2-4, Thailand 1-5, Hong Kong 0-6.