The Netherlands continued its warm-up schedule after arriving in Taichung. On Saturday they lost to 5-10 to an All-Star team of the Taichung University. For the first time during training camp former MLB outfielders Wladimir Balentien and Andruw Jones, which are under contract with Nippon Professional Baseball teams, suited up for the Orange team. The University squad scored eight runs in the fourth en route to the victory. David Bergman was on the mound during the big rally. Orlando Yntema, Jonatan Isenia, Berry van Driel, Mark Pawelek and Loek van Mil also took the mound for the Dutch.
The Dutch team got rid of the jet lag on Sunday when they shut out Cuba 5-0. Diegomar Markwell threw five scoreless innings for the win. After him Kevin Heijstek, Mark Pawelek and Leon Boyd completed the shutout. Cuba used Ismel Jimenez, Freddy Alvarez, Danny Betancourt and Vladimir Garcia in the game. Hainley Statia led the way on offense for the Netherlands with three hits including a RBI single in the third for a 1-0 lead. Wladimir Balentien hit a solo homerun.
Two more exhibition games are on the schedule for the team of manager Hensley Meulens on Tuesday and Thursday. Their first game at the 2013 World Baseball Classic will be next Saturday against Korea. Chinese Taipei and Australia also will be opponents. Australia played a pair of exhibitions in Osaka, Japan this weekend. On Saturday the Aussies lost 2-3 to the defending champion. On Sunday Japan prevailed 10-3. Japan is in a first-round group with Brazil, Cuba and China.