Netherlands – Cuba 0-4
Cuba got some payback for Monday’s loss to the same opponent and shut out the Netherlands 4-0 on Wednesday at the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam. Wilber Perez and Rasiel Iglesias combined to keep the Dutch offense to five hits and six walks through the game. Especially Perez was erratic at times, but the team of head coach Steve Janssen was unable to put anything on the board.
Cuba’s hitters weren’t much better throughout the first seven innings against Dutch starter Orlando Yntema (7.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 SO). However this changed in the eighth, when Yadiel Hernandez broke the scoreless tie with a RBI single. Yulieski Gourriel plated another run with a groundout a few moments afterwards. A two-run single by Eriel Sanchez provided some insurance in the ninth.
Prior to the game former soccer standout Giovanni van Bronckhorst (FC Barcelona, Arsenal, Glasgow Rangers, Feynoord Rotterdam) threw out the ceremonial first pitch. He has initiated a foundation to help children who are behind in their school development and is a partner of the World Port Tournament. He has rented one of the boxes at Familie Stadium during the tournament.
Also in attendance was former Rotterdam Mayor Bram Peper, who in the early 80ies helped to initiate the WPT promising his Havana counterpart to host an international baseball tournament in Rotterdam.
