TAICHUNG, Taiwan — In Day 3 of the WBSC Premier12 international flagship tournament, world No. 3 Cuba rallied late in the game to defeat No. 5 Netherlands, 6-5, and avoid falling to 0-2 in Group A.
The Netherlands jumped on Cuba starter Frank Montieth, including a two-run homerun by Shawn Zarraga in the fourth inning, to take an early 4-1 lead at Intercontinental Stadium.
Cuba’s offense erupted for four runs in the sixth, supercharged by a long home run by Estaile Hernandez, which put Cuba ahead 5-4.
In the bottom of the sixth the Netherlands tied the game when Andruw Jones darted home from third base to score on a wild pitch.
Cuba put together three hits in the 8th and catcher Yosvany Alarcon was credited with the game-winning RBI, and reliever Jose Garcia secured the win.
The loss for the Netherlands, after an opening day win over hosts Chinese Taipei, puts the Dutch National Team at a record of 1-1.
Cuba will play Puerto Rico in a day game Thursday at Intercontinental, while the Netherlands faces European rivals Italy.
