The Cuban baseball team got off to a rough start in the Premier 12 tournament on Wednesday, losing 1-6 to the Dominican Republic at Tianmu Stadium in Taipei, China.
Although the team led by manager Armando Johnson took the lead in the sixth inning, the strong performance of the Matanzas pitcher Yoenni Yera was not enough to secure the victory and enter the event on a high note.
Yera pitched six innings with absolute control, allowing only three hits, striking out five opponents, and not issuing any walks. "The study of opponents worked well. I focused on each batter, and the result was positive," he told JIT, highlighting his control and strategy.
However, the bullpen failed to maintain the slim lead. Reliever Leodán Reyes issued a couple of consecutive walks in the seventh inning, followed by a single from Erismendy Alcántara, whose hit resulted in an error by center fielder Yoelkis Guibert, allowing the first two runs for the Dominicans.
Frank Abel Álvarez and Yankiel Mauri also struggled on the mound, allowing one and three runs, respectively, which secured the victory for the Dominicans.
Director Johnson pointed out the team's poor offensive performance: "The offense wasn't good, and we didn't get the hit at the right moment." Cuba managed only six hits and failed to capitalize on opportunities with runners on base.
In a match that will determine the future of the Caribbean team in the competition, the island will face South Korea this Thursday, one of the favorites in Group B, with left-handed pitcher Liván Moinelo set to seek the crucial victory.
Filed under: