With Spain with their backs to the walk Pablo Guillén took the hill and was masterful. The right-hander from Sancti Spíritus, Cuba tossed six scoreless innings in which he struck out eight, tying a World Baseball Classic record to help Spain knock off South Africa 9-1.
For the hurler it was his first victory in the World Baseball Classic. Spain in their own right finishes the qualifying rounds 2-1 and depending on the results of the Nicaragua-Taiwan game, the European nation could either find itself in an elimination game on Monday or qualify for the 2026 WBC based on the TQB (Totally Quality Balance).
For Spain it was the third day in a row that a Cuban pitcher took the hill in the competition, Elián Leyva and Yoanner pitched the two previous day for the Spaniards. With his performance in today’s game Guillén has generated interest in Asia. Guillén last saw action in organized league during 2023 in Italy posting a 5-1 record, 2.41 earned run average and fanned 49 batters in 42 innings pitched. The righty has has also seen action in action in the Venezuelan Winter League with the Tigres de Aragua and Navegantes de Magallanes over his career.
The son of an umpire in the Serie Nacional sported a 19-9 record, a 2.73 ERA in five seasons in the Cuban National Series. Although he was highly touted prospect when he left the island, but was never able to secure a signing with a Major League team. Based on his performance in tonight’s Guillén could be a hot commodity for various leagues heading into the summer