Saez, Prieto lead Cuba to dominating effort against Mexico

Cuba outscored Mexico, 10-0, and can still hope for a spot in Sunday’s World Championship game.
Cuba’s offence proved overpowering and combined for 13 hits. First baseman Christian Saez went 4 for 4, with a home run and five RBIs.
Starting pitcher Alejandro Prieto earned the win with four dominating innings.

Christian Saez was born in 2007 but at 1.82 meters (6 feet) makes an imposing figure. He got started with his personal show in the top of the first, when he got to Mexico’s started with an RBI single.

Saez added two RBIs in the top of the second when he welcomed reliever Gustavo Vargas with a two-out and two-RBI single to make it 4-0 and opened the score with a towering two-run home run in the top of the fourth.

Three more players enjoyed a multi-hit game for Cuba: third baseman Alejandro Cruz, left fielder Luis Valdes and starting pitcher Alejandro Prieto.

Prieto dominated on the mound. Mexico got the first hit against him in the second and reached third only once, in the bottom of the fourth.
Cuba’s starter topped a velocity of 77 miles per hour but was consistent trough the whole game around 74. He also showed at least two secondary off-speed pitches: a breaking ball and an impressive two-seam fastball.