Cuba scored six runs in the first inning and went on to defeat the Santa Barbara Foresters 9-5 on Sunday, June 22, in the second game of their baseball series at Havana’s Latinoamericano Stadium.
After Cuba’s outburst against Santa Barbara starter Ryan Cook, a right-hander from USC, the Foresters’ pitching staff allowed only three runs the rest of the way. Carson Andrews, a right-hander from Jacksonville University, hurled three innings of no-hit ball, striking out three and walking one batter.
Ian Berger homered in the top of the second, and a three-run rally by the Foresters in the fourth inning left Cuba holding a 6-5 lead. The home team’s bullpen limited Santa Barbara to two hits the rest of the way. Norberto Gonz¡lez, who struck out four batters in two innings, was credited with the win.
Designated hitter Osmani Urrutia and leftfielder Alfredo Despaigne each went 3-for-5 to pace Cuba’s 13-hit attack. The Foresters had five hits, the same number they had in an 8-3 loss to Cuba on Saturday.
Cuba, preparing for the Beijing Olympics, will go for a sweep Monday evening.