Cuba remained undefeated shutting out Mexico 4-0 on Sunday while the United States topped Panama 11-5, allowing both teams to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
The win was Cuba’s eight straight during the Olympic Qualifying Tournament taking place at three Havana stadiums. The game was an excellent pitching duel with Cuba held to four hits and Mexico to three.
Montieth rose to the occasion against Mexico.
It was the least productive game for the tournament’s leading team batters but they made them all count as all four were for extra bases. A solo homerun by Alexander Mayeta opened the scoring in the second followed in the same inning by a two-run blast by Ariel Pestano, with Frederich Cepeda on second after a double. Cuba’s other hit and other run came on a homer by Yulieski Gourriel in the sixth.
Mexico’s starter, Oscar Rivera, pitched very well including his screw ball and excellent change up that moved away on right handed batters. He struck out six and walked three in eight innings and was the only pitcher in the tournament who dominated the Cuba hitters, except for the three fast balls that cost him the game.
Another lefty, Victor Alvarez, got the Cubans one, two, three in the ninth.
Cuba was led by righthander Frank Montieth who now has pitched 13 innings of shutout baseball in two Olympic Qualifying games. The Mexicans could manage only two hits off Montieth who also walked two and has struck out 15 in two games.
Adiel Palma, who has two wins and 23 strikeouts in his first two appearances was announced by manager Rey Vicente Anglada for Tuesday’s final tournament game against the United States.
The US guaranteed a trip to Beijing on Sunday with its win over Panama and has only one loss in the event. While both teams have qualified for the Olympics, the game on Tuesday will determine first place in the tournament.
Anglada noted that he will play to win on Tuesday hoping to go to Beijing undefeated. He praised the effort of the team throughout the tournament and dedicated the latest victory to President Fidel Castro.
