Cuba Wins 3-2 over Chinese Taipei

HAVANA TIMES, July 15, — The Cuban baseball team broke out of a two game slump in a come from behind win over Chinese Taipei 3-2 on Thursday at the Haarlem Baseball Week in Holland.

The Cubans led a pitching duel 1-0 going into the eighth.  However, the Asians took advantage of a hit, an error by shortstop Rudy Reyes, and a walk —all facing starter Maikel Folch— to load the bases with two outs.

Cuba’s manager German Mesa brought in Robelio Carrillo to relieve but he gave up a two-run single before getting the final out.

Down 2-1, the Cubans rebounded in the bottom of the eighth to score twice and turn the scoreboard highlighted by an RBI double by Duarte and another run producer on a single by Alexei Bell.

Even with the win the Cubans have only managed five runs in their last three games while giving up 16.

So far in the five team double-round robin tournament (without playoffs) the standings are as follows:  The Netherlands 4-0, Cuba 4-2, Japan 2-3, United States 1-3 and Chinese Taipei 1-4.

Cuba plays the USA on Friday, has the day off on Saturday and closes with a rematch against the hosts on Sunday.