The ghosts of confusion returned to surround Cuba’s journey towards the World Classic, after losing today to the Taiwanese team Monos de Rakuten (4-5) in their penultimate evaluation test prior to the baseball match.
On a night marked by low temperatures, the bats of the Antillean team were frozen at key moments at the Douliu Baseball International, despite having their major league players, including superstar Luis Robert Jr. (2-0, 1BB).
The Chicago White Sox outfielder lined up third in his return to the island’s main roster, but his bat power was limited a couple of times and he only reached first base after drawing a walk.
Statements by mentor Armando Johnson after Monos de Rakuten beat 5×4 to #elCubaClasicowhich is preparing for the #ClasicoMundialDeBeisbol. The game closed in eight innings in accordance with the agreed time (3 hours). #Cuba #BaseBall #CubanBaseball pic.twitter.com/DkOAJU5lum
— JIT Cuban Sport (@jit_digital) March 5, 2023
A different story was lived by Yoan Moncada, another from the ‘Windy City’ team, Andy Ibáñez (Detroit Tigers), Yoenis Céspedes (2-1, 1CI, 1BB) and Lorenzo Quintana (3-1), who reached moments of happiness in the new stage with the ‘four letters’ on the chest.
Moncada (2-2, 1CA) had a perfect date before being substituted, while Ibáñez looked safe at home plate and also released a couple of rockets, including a double between the central and right fields.
For the umpteenth time, productivity was a heavy burden for manager Armando Johnson’s troupe, who had nine hits, but failed with several outstanding teammates waiting for positive actions.
Right-hander Ronald Bolaños (Kansas City Royals) made his debut with the Caribbean team and showed his quality during two and a third innings, but was unable to avoid the setback in his biography by supporting two scores.
Adding insult to injury, relievers Carlos Juan Viera and Yoanni Yera were unable to stop the rival offense, which added nine hits to support the work of rescuer and winner Chun Chang Su (2.0, 0C, 2H).
The local cast, one of the main players in the Chinese Taipei Professional League, came back with two streaks in episodes three and five, as well as celebrating another one in the sixth to the happiness of their sets.
In this way, Cuba exhibits a balance of four victories and six setbacks in its preparation tour of Asia, which will close tomorrow, at 12:00 local time, against the CTBC Brothers team.
The largest of the Antilles will debut on the 8th against the Netherlands in the ‘Opening Day’ of the V World Classic, in a bracket A completed by Italy, Panama and the host Chinese Taipei, with games scheduled at the Taichung Intercontinental Stadium.
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Result:
Cuba 4 9 1.
Rakuten Monkeys 5 9 3.
Won: Chun Chang Su.
Lost: Ronald Bolaños.
