16U: Cuba edges out Chinese Taipei for Finals

Orlando Roa Garcia homers twice to lead Cuba to 7-4 Victory

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Romo Chavez Stadium. Aguascalientes. August 27, 2011.

Cuba has reached the championship game of the 2011 IBAF 16U Baseball World Championship. They beat Chinese Taipei 7-4 on Friday evening at Romo Chavez Stadium in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Cuba had to erase deficits twice in the game, before running away in the end. They finish the second round tied for first place with a 5-1 record. Chinese Taipei drops to 3-3 and has to await the outcome of tomorrow’s game between Mexico and the Netherlands if they still make the bronze medal game.

Originally scheduled for 15h00, rain pushed the starting time of the game into the evening. 6,000 people were still in attendance. Chinese Taipei had no problems to get on the board. Three batters into the contest they led 1-0 thanks to a RBI double by Yu Chang. Cuba answered with a RBI single by Julio Cabrera in the second.

They exchanged runs on the scoreboard shortly after again. Chinese Taipei scored three times in the top of the fourth through a two-run double by Li Lin and a RBI single by Min Chiang. Cuba countered with a two-run homerun by Orlando Roa Garcia and a RBI groundout by Aldo Conrado in the bottom of the fifth.

After that Cuba took over the lead. Escaping a bases loaded situation with one out in the top of the frame, they broke the tie with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Jorge Martinez came through with a two-run single to put the Caribbeans up in front 6-4. Another homerun by Roa Garcia added some insurance in the eighth and helped sealing the deal.

Ariel Diaz (CUB) started for Cuba and allowed five hits, four runs and two walks in 3 2/3 innings. Arbelio Quiros (W, 2-0) replaced him in the fourth to close the game out with six strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings of scoreless five-hit relief. Chia Yang (L, 1-2) was charged with the loss, surrendering seven hits, six runs (4 ER) and two base on balls in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out eight.

All coverage surrounding the IBAF 16U Baseball World Championship can be found at www.ibaf.org. Follow the International Baseball Federation also on Facebook and Twitter for additional and instant information.