A ruthless offensive, with record-breaker 6 homers-in-a-game, characterized Cuba’s first victory at the 2nd World Baseball Classic (WBC) against South Africa 8-1 in Pool B, underway in Mexico.
The previous record had been set by the Dominican Republic, with 4 homeruns, during the first WBC in 2006. But led by 3rd hitter Frederich Cepeda, who blasted a fast ball way over the left fence in the very first inning, the Cubans took the Mexican field altitude advantage to easily break the former mark.
Cepeda repeated the deed at his second at-bat, this time over the right field, and his example was followed by third baseman Yulieski Gourriel, Alfredo Despaigne, Yoeni Cespedes and the first batter Hector Olivera.
The devastating offensive shadowed the great performance of Cuban starting pitcher right-handed Norge Luis Vera, who pitched almost perfectly for 6 innings, allowing only one hit with one based-on-balls, and barely breaking a sweat. He was relieved by left-handed Norberto Gonzalez in the seventh, since Vera had already made 64 pitches and the WBC’s rules state that during the first round the maximum amount is 70.
The 8th inning was pitched by Ismel Jimenez, who stuck out two South Africans, leaving everything ready for the closer, ultra fast right-handed Vladimir Garcia, who allowed two hits and the only run scored by the African team.
(ACN)
Cepeda repeated the deed at his second at-bat, this time over the right field, and his example was followed by third baseman Yulieski Gourriel, Alfredo Despaigne, Yoeni Cespedes and the first batter Hector Olivera.
The devastating offensive shadowed the great performance of Cuban starting pitcher right-handed Norge Luis Vera, who pitched almost perfectly for 6 innings, allowing only one hit with one based-on-balls, and barely breaking a sweat. He was relieved by left-handed Norberto Gonzalez in the seventh, since Vera had already made 64 pitches and the WBC’s rules state that during the first round the maximum amount is 70.
The 8th inning was pitched by Ismel Jimenez, who stuck out two South Africans, leaving everything ready for the closer, ultra fast right-handed Vladimir Garcia, who allowed two hits and the only run scored by the African team.
(ACN)