Homeruns by Malleta and Despaigne save Cuba versus Canada

Cuba – Canada 7-6

CAN 002 102 010  6 9 2
CUB 030 004 00X  7 5 2

Box score
Recap on Baseball.ca

The Canadians challenged Cuba on Thursday, but the three-time gold winner didn’t fell. Cuba moved their record to 2-0 with a 7-6 victory.

They had the better start, scoring three runs in the second on a sac fly by Ariel Pestano, a RBI double by Eduardo Paret and an error by second baseman Stubby Clapp. But the maple leafs weren’t shocked. They scored the next five runs unanswered, tying the score in the fourth on Nick Weglarz’ solo homerun and even took a 5-3 lead in the sixth on Weglarz’ second homer, a two-run shot. It was not enough.

Cuba came right back through two-run homeruns by Alexander Malleta and Alfredo Despaigne in the bottom of the period to make it 7-5. Canada tried to rally for a second time in the eight, but only cut the deficit to a run through a fielder’s choice RBI by Brett Lawrie.

Nick Weglarz was the player of the game, going four-for-four with two homeruns, three runs scored and three RBI. Mike Saunders hit a two-run homerun for the North Americans. Cuba needed just five hits to score the seven runs. Frederich Cepeda scored twice.

Adiel Palma allowed seven hits and five runs (4 ER) in five-plus innings. He struck out six. Brooks McNiven gave up two hits, three runs (2 ER) and two base on balls in just two innings. Vicyohandry Odelin (W 1-0) picked up the win. Jonathan Lockwood (L 0-1) took the loss. Norberto Gonzalez struck out three of the five last batters to earn the save.