Cuba Tops Canada 8-2, Faces Netherlands in Finals
By Circles Robinson
HAVANA TIMES, Oct. 14 — Cuba returned to its winning ways on Friday defeating Canada 8-2 to gain a ticket to the IBAF Baseball World Cup finals vs. the Netherlands on Saturday.
The Cubans rebounded after their only tournament loss on Thursday 4-1 to the Netherlands. The game with Canada was delayed due to rain after four innings but was able to be continued.
Yadier Pedroso and Vicyohandri Odelín combined for the big win in the do-or-die game.
Pedroso went four scoreless innings permitting only two hits before an hour long rain delay stopped the action.
When play resumed Pedroso gave up two runs on four consecutive hits before being relieved by Odelin who pitched three complete scoreless innings to get the win.
All ten batters in Cuba’s starting lineup managed at least one hit off the five Canadian hurlers, including eight singles, four doubles, two triples, a homer.
Cuba’s Mr. Clutch, Frederich Cepeda, went 3-for-4 with a double, triple, two RBIs and two runs scored and Jose Dariel Abreu drove in two runs including a solo homer to lead the charge.
Canada had eight hits on the game led by Cole Amrstrong, 3-for-3 with one RBI. Shortstop Jonathan Malo went 2-for-3 and drove in the Canadians other run.
The losing pitcher was Canada’s starter Shawn Hill, who allowed five runs on eight hits in 2.2 rocky innings.
Cuba is now 5-1 in Round Two play with one more meaningless game still to play against Panama before the Saturday night finals against The Netherlands.
Canada (4-3) plays on Saturday for third place against the USA (3-3) which defeated Venezuela on Friday.
Schedule
11h00 Game for 7th: Panama – Venezuela (Aguadulce)
11h00 Game for 5th: Australia – Korea (Santiago)
11h00 Game for 3rd: Canada – USA (Panama City)
17h00 Championship Game: Netherlands – Cuba (Panama City)