III Premier12 | Cuba defeated Taiwan Life Aloong 6-5 in seventh preparation match

(Photo by Yuhki Ohboshi)

In the seventh warm-up game leading up to the WBSC Premier12 2024, the Cuban national team secured a 6-5 win over Taiwan Life Aloong from the Taipei Industrial League at the Taichung Intercontinental Stadium on Tuesday, ahead of the tournament starting this Saturday.

Taiwan Life Aloong, a semi-professional team under CTFC Financial, the parent company of the CTBC Brothers team in the Taiwan Professional League (CPBL).

Cuba will face the professional CTBC Brothers in two matches on Wednesday and Thursday. These matches are part of the Taichung Shopping Festival and will kick off at 6:35 pm local time.

The Cubans secured a 6-5 win, largely credited to starter Pavel Hernández's performance. Hernández delivered the lengthiest start by a Cuban pitcher during this preparatory tour, pitching five innings, allowing only one run on four hits, and striking out four batters. This victory brings the Cubans' current stage record to 4-3.

Frank A. Alvarez earned the save with a scoreless inning. (Photo by Yuhki Ohboshi)

In addition to Hernández, pitchers Andy Vargas, Frank L. Medina, Leodán Reyes, Geonel Gutiérrez and Frank A. Álvarez also worked, the latter earning the save.

In the sixth inning, Vargas struggled as Taiwan Life Aloong scored four runs. Frank L. Medina pitched the seventh inning smoothly, holding onto a 6-5 lead. However, he was replaced in the eighth inning after giving up a single. Geonel Gutiérrez faced a challenging situation with interference from Cuban catcher Andy Cosme, but Leodán Reyes stepped in and prevented further damage by striking out the side. Frank A. Álvarez secured the victory with a scoreless ninth inning.

All of Cuba's runs were scored in the first inning, driven in by Erisbel Arruebarrena, Lázaro Armenteros, Andy Cosme (2), Roberto Baldoquín, and Yadil Mujica. After that initial burst, the team's offense was quiet for the remainder of the game, prompting coach Armando Johnson to seize the opportunity to use substitute players.

For this Wednesday, against CTBC Brothers, the Cuban mentor announced left-hander Yoennis Yera as the starter.

Jean Harvi Walters, RF: 0-for-3

Yoán Moncada, 3B: 1-for-3

Erisbel Arruebarrena, SS: 2-for-4 (RBI)

Alfredo Despaigne, BD: 0-for-4

Rafael Viñales, LF: 0-for-2

Lázaro Armenteros, CF: 2-for-3 (double) (RBI)

Roberto Baldoquín, 1B: 1-for-4 (RBI)

Andy Cosme, C: 1-for-3 (2 RBI)

Yadil Mujica, 2B: 1-for-3 (RBI)

Christian Rodríguez, SS: 0-for-1

In addition, as a part of the Cuban team's preparation, they will compete in two matches against the Taiwan national team in Taipei city. Both teams are in Group B of the world tournament qualifying stage, along with the national teams of the Dominican Republic, Australia, South Korea, and the defending champion, Japan.

The preliminary stage of the tournament will take place in Taiwan from November 13 to 18 as the host country.

The two best teams in the group will advance to the Super Round, which will be played in Tokyo from November 21 to 24.

South Korea won the inaugural Premier12 title in 2015 and finished second behind Japan in 2019, events in which Cuba finished 6th and 10th, respectively. On both occasions, the Cuban team was eliminated by South Korea.