De Groot guides the Netherlands in come-from-behind win over Cuba

A solid pitching performance by reliever Aaron De Groot and solid defensive plays kept the Netherlands in the game against Cuba on Monday, securing their first win in the IV WBSC Baseball World Cup with a 3-2 scoreline,

The Dutch scored a go-ahead run with two outs in the top of the sixth and handed the ball to Washington Nationals prospect Jefrem Leon to protect the huge win against Cuba.

The Netherlands scored in the first against starter Roberto Hernandez, as first baseman Delano Selassa singled and left fielder Darryl Collins also had a base hit, sending Selassa to third and scoring on a sacrifice fly by third baseman Kaeber Rog.

Cuba reversed the lead with a swing of the bat. With runners at the corners, Guillermo Garcia got to reliever Aaron De Groot and made it 2-1. De Groot, who had inherited the runners from starter Koen Postelmans, did not allow other runs and struck out seven in 4.2 innings.

Selassa scored the tying run for the Netherlands on hits by Collins and Rog. Then they made the most of a defensive error in the top of the sixth as right fielder Tommy Van de Sanden singled off Leodan Reyes, then reached third on another hit by centre fielder Jeandro Tromp.

With two outs, Cuba gave the call to reliever Naykel Cruz, who tried to pick off Tromp at third but threw beyond the bag, allowing Van de Sande to score.

Washington Nationals' 20-year-old prospect Jefrem Leon pitched two scoreless innings to protect the lead.

The Netherlands are now 1-2 in Group B and will play Australia on Tuesday at 16.00 local time, while Cuba are still winless and will be facing Mexico at 10.00