Havana, September 8 (RHC) – The Cuban national team lost 1-0 to Puerto Rico and suffered its second consecutive defeat in Group A at the U-18 Baseball World Cup, held in Okinawa, Japan.
Starting pitcher Ethan Armani De Jesús and his relief pitcher Pablo Figueroa showed their talent on the mound. Between them, they struck out eight and held the Cuban team to just two hits, thanks to the fourth and ninth hitters, Javier Zambrano and Leandro Pérez, respectively.
On the mound at Nishizaki Stadium in the city of Itoman, Pinar del Río native Marlon García also put in an excellent performance, pitching a complete game, striking out five, and allowing only two hits.
The Puerto Ricans got the winning run in the fourth inning, combining a walk, a hit by pitch, and an RBI hit by first baseman Emmanuel Hernández.
After that result, the squad led by Las Tunas coach Abeicy Pantoja has a record of two wins (South Africa and Italy) and two losses (Japan and Puerto Rico).
This Tuesday, the final round of the qualifying stage will be played, and Cuba will face South Korea in search of one of the three spots in the Super Round.
