Guardians of Fubon beat Cuba in the Clásico

Taipei.- GUARDIANS de Fubon beat the bulk of the team registered by Cuba for the V World Baseball Classic, which begins on March 8, 2-1 here today.

Although he only had four hits, the team from the professional league at home was more efficient and took advantage of his rivals’ defensive gaps to satisfy a crowd that braved the cold to support him all the time.

In the second inning, a throwing error by waiter Dayán García and singles by first baseman Chen Huan Yang and right fielder Chia Lee Chou cost the starter a score and ultimately defeated Carlos Juan Viera.

A couple of acts later, catchers Jin-De Jang and third baseman Tsung-Shien Lee served up the other of the hosts, handcuffed from then on by relievers Yeudis Reyes, Raidel Martínez and Frank Abel Álvarez.

“My performance responds to the strategy that I am following with the objective of arriving in optimal shape for the competition,” said the second of them shortly after striking out the three men facing each other with shipments of up to 97 miles per hour.

But the debut of the Cubans in the Xinzhuang stadium was a single run, thanks to a home run by Alfredo Despaigne, who later left the challenge due to slight muscular discomfort.

Also as a result of an injury, receiver Ariel Martínez was left on the bench, currently undergoing treatment under the supervision of Dr. Francisco Montesinos, the cast’s chief medical officer.

“He made a movement that affected the inside of his left knee, and due to the increase in pain, studies were carried out that confirmed the absence of a worrying injury, but he will be inactive until he fully recovers,” said the specialist.

The Saturday outcome, in which they hit nine hits, left six men on base and regretted a pair of double kills, fixed the balance of the Cubans at two wins and four losses in a preparatory segment that previously experienced five games in Japan.

This Sunday the Taiwanese guardians will be measured again, starting at 7:00 (local time) and with José Ramón Rodríguez on the mound.

TOTALS

Cuba: 1-9-2

Guardians: 2-4-0

Won: Chiang Kuo Hao

Lost: Carlos Juan Viera

Saved: Enderson Santos