Cuba’s baseball team (2-1) fell 6-2 to Panama (3-0), suffering its first loss at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo during their first game of the Super Round. The top two teams in the six team pool will qualify for the gold medal match.
Both teams entered their opening Super Round matchup undefeated. Panama scored all six of its runs in the first inning—four against Fher Cejas (0.0 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, HR, BB) and the other two against Andy Vargas (2.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 K). Cuba scored once in the fifth inning and again in the seventh, with the latter run coming on a solo home run by Yuliesky Remón.
The Cuban offense collected 10 hits—one more than Panama—but managed to score only twice. Luis Vicente Mateo went a perfect 4-for-4 with a double. Geonel Gutiérrez (2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 K) and Yuniel Batista (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K) did not allow a hit in relief. Cuba will face Colombia this Wednesday at 11:00 AM.
Cuba’s individual performances against Panama at the Central American and Caribbean Games:
Offense:
Yoelkis Guibert (RF): 1-for-4, K
Luis Vicente Mateo (2B): 4-for-4
Yoel Yanqui (1B): 0-for-4, 2 K
Yasiel González (DH): 1-for-3
Leonel Moas (CF): 1-for-3, K
José Noroña (LF): 0-for-3
Henry Quintero (3B): 0-for-3
Andy Cosme (C): 1-for-3, R
Tailon Sánchez (SS): 0-for-1
Yuliesky Remón: 2-for-2, R, HR, RBI
Pitching:
Fher Cejas: 0.0 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, BB, HR, L (0-1), 13 pitches (7 strikes)
Andy Vargas: 2.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 K, 58 pitches (38 strikes)
Geonel Gutiérrez: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 K, 32 pitches (23 strikes)
Yuniel Batista: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K, 17 pitches (11 strikes)