For Cuba the departure is Roenis Elias, experienced MLB pitcher (2014-19, 2022 with the Mariners). Elias works quickly, conceding only one base to Pasquantino. the other party, Matt Harveymaking his absolute debut in the Italian uniform, dark blue to recall the nickname of the former Mets pitcher “The Dark Knight”, gets three consecutive outs with 9 pitches and sails with the support of the defense also in the second inning.
Italy is more threatening than its opponents: in the second attack, Sullivan shoots, but just misses the home run and is then out to the right. Double of David Fletcher he unlocks the blue account, but the shortstop stops in third, with DeLuzio who does not take advantage of the advantage account and hits a harmless fly ball to the left. In the third inning, Mastrobuoni he opens with a double to opposite pitch, but the next three batters don’t move him.
Cuba takes the measures in its third attack: the last two men of the lineup place two singles in the opposite field and advance on the sacrifice of Guilbert, setting the table for Moncada and Robert, but the Italian defense holds up, with the second baseman Mastrobuoni to beat the Cuban number 88 on time for a very heavy third out.
While Elias eliminates 6 consecutive hitters and closes his excellent performance (5IP, 2H, BB, 3K), Italy sends André Pallante (substituted Harvey after 3 clean sheets and 40 pitches) hits, but gets a double out by the defense for a fourth inning, 3 pitches all, while having to work hard in the fifth after a base conceded to Quintana and – two out after – a second to Guilbert. But with runners in the corners, the Cardinals pitcher strikes Yoan Moncada in the batting arm wrestling.
Italy knocks back to sixth with the entry of the first relief Jose Rodriguezwith two singles by Frelick e Pasquantinointerspersed with the harmless volley of Valente. Dominic Fletcher download the third single to fill the bases and force Cuba to call naykel cruz to challenge the left-handed Brett Sullivan who raises the sacrifice sprint sufficient to unlock the partial. Change also for Italy, which he sends Vinny Nittoli on the platform, who seats Robert and Despaigne (the latter after having touched the home run) and closes the inning unscathed.
The seventh round brings Italy on base with Nicky Lopezauthor of a single, and Cuba to cover with the flamethrower Livan Moinellowho is one of the best relievers in Japan, on the platform in place of Cruz, but after an out on DeLuzio, Mastrobuoni he strikes again in the outside left area, overcoming Cespedes and pushing Lopez home for the 2-0. Moinello limits further damage, leaving Mastrobuoni in third.
Cuba comes to life in the seventh attack when Arruevarru’s hits a torpedo in center that DeLuzio does not control and the Cuban shortstop reaches third on a disputed call to umpire. The Cubans try to ride the wave and break the ice thanks to the single from a point Lorenzo Quintana. Nittoli’s game ends with a strikeout for Drake and he enters instead Joe LaSorsa who hits pinch-hitter Dayan Garcia with two strikes, but picks off Guilbert on field choice and then lands Moncada.
The game begins to get carried away by episodes and emotions. In the eighth inning, the Blues responded with a solid Pasquantino right field leading the eighth at bat, then four straight balls, including a wild pitch, put Dominic Fletcher on base. On Cuban catcher’s passed ball, the Blues have three chances to hit, but Sullivan and David Fletcher raise two pops, then the champion flash of the third baseman Yoan Moncada denies Nicky Lopez the valid. The Cubans push with the heart of their lineup: Despaigne unloads a double with one out on the new entrant Matt Festa and, after an elimination on Cespedes, Arruevarru’s he punishes again with an opposite-field single that evens the score and brings the game in full balance into the ninth inning and tiebreaker.
The tenth attack is a blue masterpiece of head and legs: in the Classic play-off formula, with 0 out, Frelick starts the second half and steals the third during the round of Valentewho, with 2 strikes on his account, hits the one-missing single to send him home.
After Pasquantino’s sprint, Oneki Garcia replaces Martinez on the Cuban mountain and Dominic Fletcher welcomes him with a double that is worth the 4-2 blue.
Then, with 2 out, David Fletcher intentionally sent to first and the ensuing wild pitch advances both brothers to scoring position. This time nothing can stop the joke of Nicky Lopezwho sends his teammates home for the 6-2.
Cuba’s latest assault is against Mitchell Stump. After the out on Moncada, Luis Robert takes home the point of the flag, but Italy defends the 6-3 and kick off the Classic 2023 with a heart-pounding win.
For Italy, this is the third victory ever against Cuba out of 54 matches in official events. Mike Piazzain his first win as manager in the Classic, he managed 2 of them.
On Friday, Italy will challenge the hosts of China Taipeiat the same time (at 19 local time, at 12 Italian time).
POST-MATCH
Mike Piazza: “Congratulations to the whole team. The boys played together, to the fullest. We had difficulties and moments of frustration in which we missed some chances. We gave Cuba some hope to change the momentum of the match. When they drew, but we never got discouraged and we fought until the end. Excellent work by the pitchers and then the last attack the great hit by Valente who wanted to hit in the center. It is an important victory, for all of us and for the federation”.
On Frelick’s steal at the tie-break: “The choice partly depended on us and partly it was Sal’s choice. I think he is a player with great drive and talent and I would like them to play, use their instincts and they were smart. I don’t like to think I have to control them. I trust him and all the boys and I’m very glad he took this initiative.”
Matt Harvey: “It’s an incredible victory, I can only be proud to have contributed. For us, for our families, this victory is a huge emotion. My grandfather (originally from Frosinone, ed) is one of the reasons why I’m here, and I know he was watching us. It’s special to play for him and this chance to play for our origins and our family is for all of us.”
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