Cuba vs. Panama Game Highlights | 2023 World Baseball Classic

Day three of the 2023 World Baseball Classic has arrived in Taichung, Taiwan, and after a thrilling first four games of action, we are back at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium where the Snapdragon-dealing lefty Andy Otero strides to the top of the pitcher's mound as Roel Santos steps into the batter's box. And the first pitch of day number three is bunted first base side, and it is a leadoff bunt single for Roel Santos, and Cuba, desperate for a victory, starts it with a knock. That brings up Alfredo Despanier. Two-two pitch. Right center field, tracking it toward the alleyway is Ramos and Castillo. It's down, and the veteran comes through. An RBI double for Alfredo Despanier in the first, and the all-red-clad Cubans are in the lead, one to nothing. Despanier missed the first game. Back tight as he was back in the lineup yesterday, and just absolutely wearing out this right center gap. Biggest issue with Ron Bolaños is that command. Stuff-wise, good enough, but the command has been the issue the last couple years to stick around at the major league level. Jonathan Arauz into the batter's box. One-one, chopped right side. That'll scoop through for a base hit. So the first hit of the game for Panama belongs to Arauz with one out in the first. Counter over two-third, could be two. Moncada to second for one. Mujica on the return throw, five-four-three, and that retires the side. First baseman Yadir Drake, a former member of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, who's spent a lot of time in Mexico over the last couple years. Right center field, another long run for Ramos and Castillo, and that's down into the gap. It is a one-out double for Yadir Drake, and Cuba in business with a man in scoring position again here in the second. Ball really carrying well to right center field today. Really is that ball shooting at the right center field. Wheaton's grabbing that ball and just taking it. So Drake in scoring position now for Yadir Mujica. Mujica sends this one down the line, and that slices and touches down foul. Yeah, that was very, very close, and Yadir Mujica just missing extra bases. That is about as close as it gets on the line, and Cuba is asking for another look at this, so we will have a review. That's a fair ball. Wow, that is a fair ball. That's going to be a double, and a run will score, and Cuba adds to its one-nothing lead. It's two-nothing. Trying to do it again, and now a snap back in behind the runner, and Yadir Mujica is back-picked at second by Christian Betancourt. That is a huge out. Christian Betancourt, you mentioned that arm strength he has. Spent some time on the mound as well. Santos takes strike three, so Otero bounces right back. In Los Angeles, Dodgers prospect Jose Ramos leading things off out of the cleanup spot. Wind up, Milano's home on two-two. Bouncing ball left side, scored over there by Mercada, and a throw that pulls Yadir Drake off the bag, and an E-5 as Yolanda Mercada's top WBC continues. Man, it's just unforced errors all over the place. Base running, fielding, he had plenty of time. To left center field, Tejada drives this one well. Warning track, ball gone. The nine-year big league veteran Ruben Tejada ties things in the second two-to-two. We talked about Ruben Tejada. This is a big opportunity for him, obviously for Team Panama, but him as an individual to get back on the main stage, long-time shortstop with the New York Mets, and he has looked good offensively. And since the start of this inning, error, ground out, fielder's choice, home run, walk, walk, single. They're loaded up for Panama with one out. 1-0. Quarter, but a center field, and down for a base hit. That will plate at least two as Erasmo and Jose Caballero score into third base. This goes out to Maria, and Panama has plated four in the second to take the lead for the first time today. Absolutely dialed in on one of the liners. We talked about that slow. He cannot get that out over the plate for a strike. He is in deep trouble. He's finding an outfield grass all over the place. Right here, Santos, quite the spark plug at the top of this lineup. This is a big out. Minor into center field, in for a base hit. Around third base comes Drake. He's getting a late stop sign, runs through it, and runs into the final out of the fourth inning, and Cuba squanders another opportunity. Big spot here that you have to add to this lead. 2-2. Dawn on strikes. Christian Betancourt is retired, and Panama leaves a pair in scoring position in the fourth. So that four-run second inning, when you look at the box score for Panama, they've been in the driver's seat this entire game. They're going to miss there by Castillo. Throw to second base, and Ramos trying to slide around a tag again is out, and he slid and jammed himself into the bag, and you really hope Jose Ramos is okay, and he pops up quickly, thankfully. And a swing and a miss as a whole bunch of 2015 Mets in this World Baseball Classic. From Zahada, you'll want to assess, but it's Matt Harvey. Zahada gone on strikes, and the inning comes to a close, and the bases are loaded for Yadier Drake seeking some redemption. Drake left field, down for a base hit. In to score, Arrubarena. Martinez on his heels will hold at third. Bases remain loaded. Cuba one run closer. It's four to three. All of a sudden, there is life in that Cuban dugout. Big base hit. Big at-bat right here. Liner into center field. Ramos has it in his sights. Catch made. Tagging at third. Martinez throw from that 70-grade arm is up the line, and Cuba has tied it up on the sacrifice fly by Yadier Mujica. It's four-four. Scary bat in the box right now, even despite his struggles. Now trying to put Cuba in the lead in the sixth. To one, and he does so as he rifles it through the right side. An RBI single. Moncada comes through. Five to four, Cuba in the sixth. And, man, he almost took out Roel Santos. That thing was a bullet. Barely got it. Just like that, Cuba is up. Right. That's going to get in for a base hit. Around third base and scoring easily is Santos. Moncada to second. RBI single for Robert. They're coming through, and Cuba's lead is back to two runs at six-four. Cuba just keep piling on. They got some rhythm. They got that energy, that momentum shifted back to that first-base dugout. And a chance to break this thing open against a new arm into the game, the left-hander James Gonzalez, who will go to work against Yadier Mujica. Right side, and it's passed. Santa Maria, and on to the right. In from, he bears scores from second. A two-run knock for Yadier Mujica on the tenth pitch of the at-bat, and Cuba has a four-run lead in the seventh. Yeah, here it is. Down the left-field line. That's going to add at least two as Yohan Moncada comes through once more. A three-hit day for Moncada. He drives in a pair. A six-run lead in the seventh for Cuba. It's taken a few days, but this Cuban team as a whole, as a lineup, have come through ten runs. Slow roller left side. Tough play over there for Caballero, and he gets to it and gets Robert, but another run crosses, and a celebration over in front of the first-base dugout for Roel Santos. Make sure they get this win. Put a bunch of runs on the board. Get that confidence back. Arauz to first. Ball good. Cuba is into the win column with a breakout offensive performance to give this team its first victory of the 2023 Classic as we get a look at the updated standings. Two unbeaten teams remain. The Netherlands off today. Italy into action tonight against the lone remaining winless team, Chinese Taipei, the top two teams on to the quarterfinals, and a big victory today for Cuba to keep hope alive. Yeah, finally, those big bats. That man right there, Luis Robert, Jr., and Juan Ricardo breaking out finally, but is it enough? You're going to see a 2-2 situation. That's the best they can do, Team Cuba. A lot's going to be out of their control, but good to see some smiles on that Cuban national team finally breaking out.