14/10/2022 1 Minute Read

Puerto Rico shut out Cuba, open Group B with win

After three innings with no score, the Boricuas took the lead in the fourth and didn't need to look back. Cuba had only two hits.

World No. 16 Puerto Rico shut out Cuba, ranked nine in the world, in the first game of Group B, 5-0, at Tianmu Stadium on Friday.

Four pitchers limited Cuba to a couple of hits. Puerto Rico took the lead in the fourth and broke the score open in the seventh.

Starters Naykel Cruz and Alexander Castro dominated the first three innings. Cuba's lefty Cruz allowed one hit and struck out five. The Puerto Rican right-hander allowed one hit and three walks.

Puerto Rico capitalised on a fielding error and scored the go-ahead run on three consecutive singles in the top of the fourth. Left fielder Pablo Sanchez had an RBI hit that sent Cruz to the showers. Puerto Rico added a run on a sacrifice fly by catcher Victor Torres off reliever Marlon Vega.

Castro left in the bottom of the fourth after allowing a lead-off walk. Puerto Rico handed the ball to Osvaldo Berrios. The right-hander closed the fourth and went on to pitch three innings of one-hit ball.

Puerto Rico added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh against Vega on a double by designated hitter Ricardo De La Torre.

Cuba needed three more relievers Andy Vargas, Alex Guerra and Luis Serpa, to get through the inning.

Jerryell Rivera struggled with control in the seventh and left for Sebastian Rodriguez with one out. The fourth Puerto Rican pitcher loaded the bases, then closed the game with back-to-back strikeouts.