Print

Mail

wiki links

Japan breaks Cuba's victory march

Second-baseman Maeda Singo of Japan prepares to catch the ball yesterday in Taipei, as Cuba's Luis Ulacla slides in. Japan narrowly beat Cuba 5-3. PHOTO: LIN CHENG-KUNG, TAIPEI TIMES

One last rally was not enough for Cuba and Japan held on for a 5-3 victory at Tienmu Stadium in Taipei, snapping Cuba's 46-game winning streak in the Baseball World Cup.

The last time Cuba had lost in the tournament was in 1986 to Taiwan.

The final rally in the ninth inning by Cuba just fell short.

Veteran German Mesa stroked a double into the left field corner to put the tying run at the plate. But Rolando Menino struck out and shortstop Ibata Hirokazu made a fine play to throw out Yobal Duenas and end the game.

Japan, which is loaded with players from the Japanese professional leagues, built a 4-0 lead before Cuba started to come back with single runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.

Japan first went ahead on a based-loaded walk given up in the first inning by Jose Ibar.

Japan added three runs in the fifth, two coming on a single to centerfield by Seibu Lion Sato Tomoaki.

Japan manager Goto Toshihiko now has his team riding high, at 4-0 atop the Group B standings.

"It's not easy to beat Cuba. We were really able to play up to our potential today," Goto said.

"I'm happy that we have gotten off to a good start. I hope that we can continue this into the finals."

Cuban manger Higinio Velez blamed the loss on pitching.

"Our control just was not very good," he said. "But we are still a good team."

Goto added that he was pleased to earn Japan's first ever victory against Cuba in the Baseball World Cup as well as end the 46-game streak.

"I didn't learn of the record until I got to Taiwan for the tournament," he said. "I'm happy to have had a chance to break it, but I won't really be able to enjoy it until we win a few more games."

South Korea 14, France 1

At Kaohsiung, the Koreans routed France in a game called after seven innings. Kim Joo-chan went 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs.

Taiwan 8, South Africa 2

In Kaohsiung, Taiwan overcame sloppy fielding to remain unbeaten at 4-0 in Group A.

Taiwan committed three errors by the second inning to fall behind. Two of the errors came on a single play when second baseman Yang Sen (陽森) muffed a ground ball and then threw the ball past catcher Yeh Chun-chang (葉君璋) trying to get Mark Oliver at home plate.

"I am not satisfied with today's game, even though we won. We did not play up to our potential, especially in the beginning," said Taiwan manager Lin Hua-wei.

Taiwan relied on the longball for the win, with Wang Chuan-chia (王傳家) hitting a solo home run in the second inning and a two-shot in the seventh. Chen Tai-feng (陳大豐) hit a bases loaded home run in the fifth.

Panama 4, Philippines 0

At Shinchuan, Panama improved to 3-1 in Group B with the victory over winless Philippines.

Roger Deago struck out 14 in pitching a complete game for Panama while Roy Baclay of the Philippines allowed one earned run over seven innings.

Dominican Republic 5, Italy 3

In Chiayi City, the Dominican Republic remained tied with Taiwan atop Group A with a 4-0 record by beating Italy.

Yojane Valera hit a three-run home run in the third inning for the Dominican Republic.

Canada 6, Russia 1

At Tienmu Stadium, Jeremy Ware gave a slumping Canadian offense a jolt with a home run to lead off the bottom of the first inning and another solo shot in the fifth.

Netherlands 6, Australia 0

At Shinchuan, Evert-Jan t' Hoen hit pair of one-run home runs as Netherlands improved to 2-2 in Group B.

Nicaragua 3, team usa 1

In Chiayi City, h upended Team USA, pounding out 12 hits against an American team which had shut out South Korea the day before.

Nicaragua's 38-year-old Asdrudes Flores avenged a 1996 Olympic loss to the US, scattering nine hits over seven-and-a-third innings for the win.
This story has been viewed 1933 times.