Cuba opened the Central American Games with a 4-1 win over Curaçao yesterday and then beat Puerto Rico 4-0 in today’s action to take the lead in their pool with a 2-0 record. The Antilleans are sitting in the catbird’s seat heading into tomorrow’s matchup with the Dominican Republic. This will determine the winner of their group.
The Cuban offense got going in the second inning when Yasiel González launched a solo home run over the left-field fence to open the scoring. The lead increased in the fourth inning with a combination of a walk and two singles, including an RBI hit by Andrys Pérez that forced Puerto Rican starter Luis Cruz out of the game. Cuba put the game away in the seventh inning when Luis Vicente Mateo delivered a two-run double off reliever Miguel Mejía.
Raymond Figueredo turned in a solid four-inning start, allowing just two hits while striking out three, but he received a no-decision. Frank Herrera escaped a difficult situation in the fifth inning, Yankiel Mauris struck out two batters, and Armando Dueñas recorded the final three outs to close out the game.
Cuba’s individual performances against Puerto Rico at the Central American and Caribbean Games:
Offense:
1️⃣ Yoelkis Guibert (RF): 1-for-4, R, K
2️⃣ Luis Vicente Mateo (2B): 2-for-4, R, 2B
3️⃣ Yoel Yanqui (1B): 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, K
4️⃣ Yasiel González (DH): 1-for-3, R, HR, RBI, BB
5️⃣ Leonel Moas (CF): 0-for-3
6️⃣ José Noroña (LF): 1-for-2, R, BB
7️⃣ Henry Quintero (3B): 1-for-2, BB, K
8️⃣ Andrys Pérez (C): 1-for-3, RBI
9️⃣ Tailon Sánchez (SS): 0-for-3
Pitching:
Raymond Figueredo: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 54 pitches (30 strikes)
Frank Herrera: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 K, 18 pitches (13 strikes)
Yankiel Mauris: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K, W (1-0), 16 pitches (11 strikes)
Armando Dueñas: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K, 6 pitches (3 strikes)