Cuba put Japan on notice that they wouldn't show any mercy.
The team from Cuba beat China in a 12-0 drubbing in Group A of the World Baseball Classic. The long ball was definitely the play of the day as the two teams battled in Fukuoka, Japan. Jose Abreu led the Cuban team with a grand slam in game so lopsided that it was ended in the seventh inning via the rule. Coach Victor Mesa was proud of the win.
"Our lineup is getting loose and our condition is getting better everyday," said Mesa, through a translator.
The win is Cuba's second and puts them in a tie with reigning World Baseball Classic champion Japan in Pool A. It also sends the teams to the second round which starts Friday at the Tokyo dome where they'll face off to decide a winner of the group.
Cuba's manager was happy with the win, but definitely had bigger fish to fry, particularly in the Bay Area. The finale of the World Baseball Classic will be held at San Francisco's AT&T Park.
"Our aim is to clinch the pool, so we are pleased to win the first two games," according to Mesa. That's the reason we flew from Cuba to Japan."
Abreu's homer was the biggest, but clearly not the only one. The slugger hit 2-4 with a double, grand slam and five RBIs. Alexei Bell's sole hit with one hit, a two-run homer in the fourth. Frederich Cepeda also ended the day with a double, a triple and an RBI going 2-3 for the abbreviated outing.
Despite their showing, Mesa was convinced the team could be even better. "We have some little problems, but overall we won two straight games," Mesa said. "At the same time, I don't feel 100 percent comfortable. I feel we are lacking something."
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