Cuba achieved the first shutout victory of the ongoing U-12 Pre-World Cup in Panama City by beating Argentina 15-0 in a no-hitter game in 4 innings on Tuesday morning at Andy Alonso Stadium. This marked the third game for the Cuban team in the tournament, and the second game where they managed to finish the full match. It was the tournament's first no-hitter.
12 runs scored in the top of the first inning proved to be sufficient for Cuba's victory, supported by the efforts of four pitchers - Rydel F. Pérez, the winner Frank Luis Cañizares, Jeison A. Pérez, and Alan J. López. The South American team went hitless against the strong performance of the Cuban team, during the second game of both teams in the qualifying tournament for the 2025 World Cup in their category.
In the four innings of the game, the Cuban pitchers recorded five strikeouts and issued six walks. Cuba's offense, supported by 10 hits and taking advantage of six errors by the Argentine defense, secured the final score.
In a game that saw Cuba score an impressive 12 runs in the first inning, shortstop Humberto R. Alfonso, first baseman Oliver Monteagudo, and left fielder Diego L. Girón each contributed by driving in two runs. The team added two more runs in the second inning and one in the fourth to secure a victory by the Mercy Rule.
Argentina's right-handed pitcher Thomas Bautista suffered the loss, after pitching only 1/3 of an inning and allowing seven earned runs. Bautista was ineffective, giving up two hits, two walks, hitting two batters, and throwing two wild pitches during his brief appearance. Furthermore, he received poor defensive support, as his defense committed six errors in the game. Dante Cassis and Asael R. Chávez also pitched for the Argentine team.
This was Argentina's second loss in two games.
The win brought the Cubans to a 1-1 record in Group B of the tournament. This Wednesday, they have a doubleheader scheduled - first against Brazil at 9:30 am (Havana and Eastern US time), followed by a match against Puerto Rico at 11:30 am. The latter game is a continuation of the one suspended last Sunday, with Cuba leading 2-0 when rain interrupted play after their first inning at-bat.
In Group B, three teams have maintained a perfect record so far: the Dominican Republic (2-0), Puerto Rico (1-0), and Venezuela (1-0), establishing themselves as the dominant forces in the region. In order to secure one of the two spots for the medal round of the tournament, Cuba must defeat both Puerto Rico and Venezuela to enhance their prospects of progressing and competing for a place in the World Cup.
During the first match of the day in Group A, Nicaragua ended Colombia's unbeaten streak by defeating them 5-2, securing their first win of the tournament. Colombia's record now stands at 1-1.
In the upcoming games today, Mexico and the United States will compete in Group A, along with Panama playing a doubleheader against Colombia and Ecuador. In Group B, Puerto Rico will face Brazil, Argentina will play against Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic will also take on Venezuela.
The teams taking part in a doubleheader are doing so to compensate for the games that were postponed because of rain on the first day of the tournament last Sunday.
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