Germán Mesa Highlights Contributions from First Games Against Nicaragua

Germán Mesa, manager of the Cuban baseball selection, described the first two games of the friendly series against Nicaragua as attractive for the public and very useful, as part of both teams' preparation for the VI World Baseball Classic.

At the conclusion of the second matchup, held this Sunday with a victory for the islanders 3-1 at the Rigoberto López Pérez Stadium in the city of León, Mesa highlighted to the Nicaraguan press his players' ability to score more runs despite getting fewer hits than their rivals.

Cuba managed only four hits, including a home run by Ariel Martínez, compared to ten for the team managed by Dusty Baker, one of the most esteemed managers in the U.S. Major Leagues in recent times.

The Cuban strategist emphasized pitching and defense as keys to winning games. "We work on scoring runs, but we need them to be defended afterward on the field," he commented.

Regarding the lineup used, he explained that it was structured so that several players called to occupy starting positions in the Classic could accumulate at-bats and arrive in the best conditions for the culminating event for baseball selections.

Germán praised the growth of the host players and lauded the pitchers.

The first challenge of this friendly series ended in a 2-2 tie.

Both teams will hold the third of four scheduled games this coming Wednesday, which serve to make adjustments before the incorporation in March of players from the Major League circuit.

Cuba, fourth place in the previous edition of the Classic, is located in Group A, based in Puerto Rico, where they will also compete against Panama, Colombia, and Canada.

Nicaragua's team appears in Group D, based in Miami, alongside Israel, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and the Netherlands.