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• Asia
• International
• Sports
• 11 / 08 / 2007

Home runs by Frederich Cepeda and Osmani Urrutia today gave Cuba a 3-2 victory in a tight game against Australia, the first played here to launch the 37th Baseball World Cup.

Down in the game, with two outs in the ninth inning, Cepeda connected for a home run hit to left field, facing the fifth pitcher used by Australia, left-hander Brad Thomas, and tied the game.

In the 10th, the Australians came back and threatened with a hit by right fielder Bret Rissinger, then gave up two outs, managed a walk and brought on rookie Thomas Brice, who struck out facing reliever Pedro Luis Lazo.

To decide the game for the Cubans, only one appearance at the plate was needed at the close of the inning, that of Urrutia, who sent the ball out of the park over center field, leaving the closer Richard Thompson, Australias sixth pitcher of the game, stunned.

Cuba was the first to score during the game, with Alexander Mayeta connecting for a base hit in the second inning, then with an error on a throw to second, and Yoandry Urgellés hit hard to center field to drive the run in.

The Australians tied the game in the third inning and took the lead 2-1 in the seventh and held on to it until the ninth when Cepeda connected for the decisive home run.

Todays game between Cuba and Australia generated great expectations after a preparation game prior to the World Cup, when the Australians acquitted themselves with an impressive 5-0 on the scoreboard.

Tomorrow, the Cubans, World champions on 25 previous occasions, nine of them consecutive, beginning 1984 , face the German team, considered the weakest within the first round Group B.

Source: Granma Internacional