Cuba Wins Fourth Straight in Holland

by Circles Robinson

HAVANA TIMES, July 5 — Cuba won its fourth straight Port Cities Baseball Tournament game on Sunday defeating the host Holland 10-6.

Yaumier Sanchez went five innings allowing two runs to get the win. Joey Elipe took the loss for The Netherlands. The Cuban starter had control problems walking five, but also struck out seven to help him get out of several jams.

Reliever Noelvis Entenza was ineffective allowing four runs in three innings and closer Miguel Lahera came on to get the final three outs.

Cuba scored nine of its ten runs in the first three innings. The islanders were led once again by leftfielder Yoelvis Fiss who went three-for-four, homered and drove in four runs. DH Rolando Meriño also had another big day going two-for-three and scoring three runs.

Third baseman Adonis Garcia had a perfect four-for-four and first baseman Ariel Borrero went two-for-four with two RBIs to help the Cuban cause.

Japan (1-2) plays Taiwan (2-1) later on Sunday.

Cuba leads the tournament with a 4-0 record and Holland brings up the rear at (0-4).

Cuba has its next game on Tuesday July 7 vs. Taiwan. On Monday the only game is Holland vs. Japan.

To see the boxscore of the Cuba-Holland game click on: http://www.baseballdecuba.com/RotterdamGames2009.asp?id=770