TOKYO – Alfredo Despaigne’ s grand slam in the bottom of the 5th inning helped put No. 5 Cuba in the second-round of the World Baseball Classic, knocking No. 10 Australia out of the global tournament with a 4-3 win at the Tokyo Dome.
Just prior to the grand slam, Australia had moved out to a 1-0 lead, threatening to eliminate Cuba in the first round of a World Baseball Classic for the first time ever.
“I have a huge responsibility to be a leader of this national team,” said Despaigne (Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks – NPB).
Australia narrowed the lead with runs in the 7th and 8th innings, but relief pitcher Miguel Lahera shut the door, pitching a perfect 9th inning with two strikeouts to earn the save.
Cuba will face No. 41 Israel on Sunday to begin the second round.
