The Cuban team defeated its counterpart from Puerto Rico 4-2 in a seven-inning clash in the Copa del Caribe. The Cubans came out smoking early in the game after scoring one in the opening inning. Erisbel Arruebarruena hit a double to drive in Roberto Baldoquín, who had also hit a two-bagger early in the inning.
Puerto Rico tied the game in the third when Miguel Ejea walked, stole second, advanced to third on a balk by Carlos Juan Viera and then scored on a single by Jeremy Rivera. Two innings later the Puerto Ricans took the lead after a solo home run by Yadiel Rivera off Jonathan Carbó.
The Cubans responded at the close of that fifth after combining a single by Roberto Baldoquín and a home run by Yurisbel Gracial that made the game 3-2. In the sixth they added another run to cement their lead when Yadil Mujica swatted his third hit of the contest, advanced to third due to an error by the third baseman on a throw to second on a ground ball by Roel Santos and then scored thanks to a sacrifice fly by Roberto Baldoquín to right field.
🏆 V Copa del Caribe de Béisbol 🌎
🏟 Estadio: "Concepción Pérez, PUR🇵🇷"
📆 Fecha: 3
🤞Etapa: Round Robin
1️⃣2⃣3⃣4⃣5⃣6⃣7️⃣
🇵🇷PUR 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
🇨🇺CUB 1 0 0 0 2 1 xC H E
🇵🇷 PUR 2 4 1
🇨🇺 CUB 4 11 0 pic.twitter.com/S9sBz7krXW— Círculo de Espera (@CirculodEspera) October 7, 2023
Carlos Juan Viera (4.0 IP, 2H, ER, BB, 2K) had a good start and left the game tied in the fourth to earn a no-decision. Jonathan Carbo (1.0 IP, ER, HR, K) earned the win in the game despite allowing a home run. Naykel Cruz (0.2 IP, Hld) and Yeudis Reyes (1.1 IP, H, 2K, Sv) went the rest of the way to secure the win for team Cuba.
The Antillean offense had 11 hits including four batters with multihits: Roberto Baldoquín (3-2, 2R, 2B, SF, RBI), Yurisbel Gracial (4-2, R, HR, RBI), Erisbel Arruebarruena (3-2, 2B , RBI, K) and Yadil Mujica (3-3, R). Cuba will take the field tomorrow against Curacao in the title game at 04:00 PM (Cuba Time), before Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands will fight for bronze.
Cuban action on the night:
1. Roel Santos (CF): 4-1
2. Roberto Baldoquín (3B): 3-2, 2R, 2B, SF, RBI
3. Yurisbel Gracial (LF): 4-2, R, HR, RBI
4. Yasniel González (1B): 3-0, BB, K
5. Erisbel Arruebarruena (SS): 3-2, 2B, RBI, K
6. Dayan García (DH): 2-0, BB
7. Yosvani Peñalver (RF): 2-1, K
PH: Osday Silva: 1-0, K
DR: Luis González
8. Andrys Pérez (C): 3-0
9. Yadil Mujica (2B): 3-3, R
Pitchers:
-Carlos Juan Viera: 4.0 IP, 2H, ER, BB, 2K
-Jonathan Carbó: 1.0 IP, H, K, W (1-0)
-Naykel Cruz: 0.2 IP, Hld
-Yeudis Reyes: 1.1 IP, H, 2K, Sv