Cuba and Orix Buffaloes tied at 3 in friendly game in Japan.

Cuba’s national team of baseball played its first training game in Japanese soil. This game ended tied at 3 versus the professional club Orix Buffaloes. Cuba needed to score three runs late in the game as they were down 0-3.

After three scoreless innings, the Japanese team took the advantage in the bottom of the 4^th thanks to a sacrifice fly of Ito Nakamae; in the bottom of the 6^th they added another run, and the third run was scored in the 7^th.

Carlos Marti chose the following line-up: Roel Santos (CF) Alexander Ayala (SS), Frederich Cepeda (DH), Alfredo Despaigne (LF), William Saavedra (1B), Yurisbel Gracial (3B), Carlos Benítez (2B), Frank Camilo Morejón (C) and the starter was Lázaro Blanco.

RHPs Vladimir Garcia, Raidel Martinez, Miguel Lahera, and LHP Livan Moinelo also saw action on the mound.

Cuba got 7 hits while the Buffaloes mashed 12.

Cuba will play again on Sunday against Seibu Lions, another Japanese professional club. Afterwards, the team will travel to Tokyo, host city of Pool B in the WBC 2017.

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Diaz / Cubasi Translation Staff