Cuba Wins Game One on Homers

HAVANA TIMES, March 8 — Cuba opened its play in the World Baseball Classic II with a 8-1 win over South Africa on Sunday afternoon in the Foro Sol Stadium in Mexico City.

The outcome was highly predictable; the only question was the final score. Cuba had six home runs; two by Cepeda and one each from Despaigne, Cespedes, Gourriel and Olivera.

Norge Luis Vera went 6 innings allowing two hits. He was followed on the mound by Norberto Gonzalez, Ismel Jimenez and Vladimir Garcia who gave up the South Africans only run in the ninth inning. Cuba had 13 hits to South Africa’s four.

The score might have been even more lopsided if it hadn’t been that South Africa managed three double plays and picked off two fast Cuban base runners, Olivera and Paret off first base.

Mexico plays Australia in the other Group B game on Sunday evening. The winner will play against Cuba on Tuesday night.

For a play by play of the Cuba-South Africa game click on:
http://www.baseballdecuba.com/WBCnewsContainer.asp?id=1326