Italy-Cuba 6-3, legendary debut at the World Baseball Classic: sensational victory in the extra-inning for the Azzurri

Italy, for the third time out of 55 meetings, beats Cuba in a matchup of any level in baseball. He does it in the opening match of the World Baseball Classic, which certifies the role of crazy variable of the Azzurri of Mike Piazza and puts the Caribbean in more and more difficulty, after the defeat also against the Netherlands. 6-3 the final score, accrued in the first (and only) extra inning.

If in the first two innings Harvey essentially cancels the Cuban hitters, while for Italy there is David Fletcher who, in the second, finds a double and then third base on a sacrifice by Lopez, but stops there. Another (grand) double from Mastrobuoni in the third, then Drake and Mujica arrive to endanger Harvey, who however is very cold in avoiding Cuban points before being replaced by Pallante, who immediately risks with Quintana in third.

With Cuba changing pitcher (and Elias who by regulation will see the rest of the group as a spectator), it is the sixth inning to move the waters. The bases were filled with Frelick, Pasquantino and Dominic Fletcher, and it was Sullivan’s sacrifice that allowed Frelick to go home for a 1-0 Italy draw. The 2-0 is substantial work by Mastrobuoni, who hits very long to get a double that allows Lopez to go from first base to an important moment of joy.

At that point the Caribbean, with their backs to the wall, give up what they have; there are too many blue mistakes that lead Quintana to draw the single of 2-1, the one that Arruebarrena can realize directly from third base. Nittoli, finding himself in a critical situation, but good at not conceding more, was replaced by LaSorsa. Great opportunity immediately after for Pasquantino and Dominic Fletcher in third and second, but after two strikes Lopez’s serve to the left is harpooned with a great dive by Moncada. Despaigne’s 2-2 came on the impetus (and on sacrifice), pushed home by Arruebarrena. The ninth inning doesn’t cause any more problems, it goes to the extra inning.

Frelick is chosen to go to second by default, and it is a winning idea because he immediately steals the base, paving the way for Valente’s valid low shot in the center which gives him the 3-2. Spectacular is the double of Dominic Fletcher who goes so far as to leave time for Valente to run home for the 4-2. The Azzurri spread: the Fletchers (both of them) exploit Lopez’s single to make it 6-2, and the best that Cuba finds is a last single-point by Luis Robert who sends Guibert home. Then the party, looking forward to China Taipei tomorrow.