The Cubans showed a sluggish attacking game in the first match on Tuesday. Author: Yuki Oboshi
Cuba’s first game in the Clasico caused a wave of controversy, despite the fact that coach Armando Johnson tried to minimize the impact of the failure at the press conference. In none of the previous 26 games have they hit so little.
The reasons for the failure were obvious: in the attack. Nothing more. Only three strikes (all doubles) and very few quality contacts. We recently said that we even predicted the games. It is very difficult to win them with only serve and defense, and this first presentation proved it.
Yariel Rodriguez had a great start (4.0 INN, 1CL, 2H, 6K and 1BB) and if he was not at least one inning in the box, then it was due to the rules set by the organizers (65 fields for this stage).
He bullpen He also submitted, although Onelkis Garcia failed to complete two of his scheduled innings, he left a couple of men in circulation and both completed the return kick against Carlos Juan Viera, spurred on by weak but accurate shots.
The Netherlands signed their fourth consecutive victory over Cuban teams in the Classics and saw a less powerful team than in previous editions, but very focused and with a good reading of the game. Mentor Hensley Muhlens’ pitching management was an artfully crafted part of the office.
The tournament has just started, but there is not much time for adjustments. This Thursday here in Cuba, in a double count: at 6:00 and 23:00, our team will try to level the course against Italy and Panama.
Roenis Elias was entered for the first of these clashes, and Elian Leyva should be third in the rotation. Changes in whethernew for producing runs that give pitchers a break.
The duel against Italikos is unprecedented and the Eastmenho are set to retaliate after losing 8–6 in an extra inning in the group stage of the 2006 tournament.
The Canaleros surprised the hosts of Chinese Taipei in another game of the first day with a 12-5 score, a sign that there is no dwarf enemy here.
For Cuba, the challenge is to strike and, above all, to produce circulation. They have a team to overcome the initial setback and fans to support them from anywhere in the world.
Source: Juventud Rebelde