Cuba KOs Nicaragua in Game Two

HAVANA TIMES, Sept. 24 — Team Cuba won a lopsided game 11-0 over Nicaragua on Thursday in the second of five tune-up games in preparation for the Pan American Games and World Cup qualifying tournament Oct. 1-13 in Puerto Rico.

Playing in San Jose de las Lajas, home of the Havana Province team in the Cuban baseball league, the Cuban team used a completely different line-up than in its 5-1 win on Wednesday, with only outfielder Frederich Cepeda repeating among the starters.

Vladimir Garcia got the win pitching five innings of one-hit ball.  In relief, Norberto Gonzalez, Yonder Martinez and Alexander Rodriguez pitched one scoreless inning each.  In all the Nicaraguans managed only two hits, one from Juan Carlos Urbina and the other by Adolfo Martinez in the final inning of the game called on the mercy rule after eight innings.

Catcher Frank Camilo and Alexander Malleta (1B) both came off the bench to get two hits each on Thursday to lead their squad.

The pitchers announced for Friday are Freddy Asiel Alvarez for Cuba and veteran Diego Sandino for Nicaragua.  The game will be broadcast live on Cubavision International at 8:00 p.m. EST.