Yesterday the Cuban National team ensured its passage to the Pan American Games by dropping Nicaragua 8-2 to push itself into the medal round in the tournament.
The Cubans connected a total of 11 hits at the Saturnino Bengoa stadium in El Salvador, three of them were extra-base hits (1 2B, 1 3B and 1 HR) and also benefited from three bases on balls from rival pitching. Cuba produced scores in four of the six innings they had on offense.
In the first episode the Cubans took an early 1-0 lead when Dayan García slapped a hit to center and took second on an throwing error by outfielder. The infielder then advanced to third on a Yoelkis Guibert groundout and scored thanks to a wild pitch.
An inning later Yurisbel Gracial opened the inning with a triple, Andrys Pérez received a base on ball and Roel Santos hit his second home run of the championship to put the game 4-0 in favor of those from the Greater Antilles.
🇨🇺 #SanSalvador2023. Dayán García pegó 4 imparables en igual cantidad de veces al bate y remolcó 3 carreras. Su desempeño resultó clave en la 4ta sonrisa del equipo #Cuba. @radiorebeldecu @radio_cubana @InderCuba @CMontiller @venega_omar @JLBrocheLorenzo @oneliocc pic.twitter.com/A4FuYU5JBW
— Guillermo Rodríguez Gato (@GuilleRebelde) June 30, 2023
Yoennis Yera (5.0 IP, 6H, 2ER, BB, 10K) who had struck out five in the first two innings, allowed the only allowed two runs to the Nicaraguans . He notched not only his second win in 24 outings with the national team by also his second of this tournament, the crafty lefty also retired 10 of the 15 batters he faced via the strikeout.
At the close of the fourth, Cuba added three runs to extend the advantage to 7-2. Yadil Mujica drove the fifth run with a single and Dayan García brought the other two with a single to right. The Cuban third baseman also drove in Mujica in the sixth with his fourth hit of the afternoon, a double between RF-CF to make it 8-2 in favor of Cuba. García was had a perfect day at the plate going 4-for-4, scoring once and driving in three. Yuniesky Garcia (0.2 IP, H, BB) and Renner Rivero (1.1 IP, H) kept the Nicaraguans at bay in the last two innings to ensure the Cuban victory.
Cuba who has a 4-2 record will resume a rain shortened game against Venezuela, with the Antilleans leading 2-0 in the second inning. With a victory over the Bolivarians they would finish the qualifying phase with a 5-2 record and would then face México later in the day for the Central American title.
Boxscore
1. Yadil Mujica (2B): 4-2, R, RBI
2. Dayan García (3B): 4-4, R, 2B, 3RBI
Yordan Manduley: Jugó a la defensa
3. Yoelkis Guibert (RF): 4-1
4. Erisbel Arruebarruena (SS): 2-0, BB
5. Yasniel González (1B): 3-1
6. Guillermo Avilés (DH): 3-0, K
7. Yurisbel Gracial (LF): 3-2, 2R, 3B
8. Andrys Pérez (C): 2-0, 2R, BB
9. Roel Santos (CF): 2-1, 2R, HR, 3RBI, BB
Pitchers:
Yoennis Yera: 5.0 IP, 6H, 2ER, BB, 10K, W (2-0)
Yunieski García: 0.2 IP, H, BB
Renner Rivero: 1.1 IP, H