The Cuban team used a strong pitching performance by Adiel PALMA and well-timed hits to cruise into the semi-finals at the World Cup of Baseball. They beat Mexico with a 6-0 shutout. They will meet with Japan on Saturday.
Cuba took a fast 1-0 lead as Yulieski GOUERRIEL drove in the first run. Another RBI by him and a two-run-single by Frederich CEPEDA added three more in the fifth to build up a 4-0 advantage. Yoandry URGELLES sealed the victory with a two-run-homerun in the eighth. Alfredo DESPAIGNE and Hector OLIVERA scored two runs apiece.
PALMA (W 1-0) pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing five hits and three walks on the way to a win. He struck out four.
Hector RODRIGUEZ (L 0-2) gave up four hits, four runs (3 ER) and three walks in four-plus innings.
CUB 100 030 02X 6 7 0