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• Asia
• International
• Sports
• 11 / 16 / 2007

Once again the left-handed Palma did the job as Cubas starter, pitching with seven days rest. While he had runners on base in each inning except the fourth, he used his curve and fastball on the corners to work out of trouble and went 6.2 innings, allowing five hits while walking two batters and striking out four.

Yunieski Maya came on in relief in the seventh with two on and two out. He pitched 1.2 innings without allowing a hit and striking out two. Yonder Martinez pitched against Mexicos last two batters, giving up a hit and then forcing Efren Rodriguez, the only Mexican with two hits in the game, to hit into a game ending double play.

Cuba got on the scoreboard in the first inning on a double by lead off hitter Alfredo Despaigne and a bunt single by Hector Olivera setting the stage for Yulieski Gourriel. The third baseman didnt do exactly what he wanted, hitting into a double play, but Despaigne managed to score from third.

During the first four innings, Cuba had a total of eight runners on base but had only scored one run. They failed to score despite having loaded the bases in the third when Alexander Mayeta grounded to second.

While they produced six runs, overall, the Cuban offense was once again a little below par with only seven hits.

The game was busted open in the fifth when Cuba scored three times on a hit by Eduardo Paret; an error allowing Despaigne to reach first; a fielders choice that allowed Hector Olivera to load the bases; an RBI single by Yulieski Gourriel, and a two-run hit to right by Frederich Cepeda.

After batting into two double plays, Yoandri Urgelles blasted a two-run homer in the eighth for the final scoring, the ninth home run by Cuba in the tournament.

Cuba plays Japan "which shutout Australia 3-0 in its quarterfinals match" on Saturday evening Taipei time (5 a.m. in Cuba). Although no decision has been officially announced, the talk outside the dugout is that young southpaw sensation Aroldis Chapman will get the nod for Cuba.

The two teams met in the finals of the World Baseball Classic in 2005, won by Japan.

The other semifinal match up pits the Netherlands against the United States. On Friday, the Dutch team managed a sensational 11-inning 6-3 win over Taipei. The host team had led the game 2-1 in the ninth inning with two out before Vince Rooi homered to tie the score and send the game into extra innings. The US won a 3-1 pitchers duel over South Korea to get its semifinals ticket.

Source: Granma