Cuba sent the reigning champs a message...be ready.
Japan may have been playing in their home country, but it was Cuba that make the statement as they managed to continue their undefeated streak, beating the Japanese team 6-3 in the Tokyo Dome.
The team has finished atop the Group A seedings of the World Baseball classic. Led by Alfredo Despaigne's three-run shot in the eigth inning, the team managed to take down to the two-time defending champions in Fukuoka, Japan. Yasmany Tomas got Cuba on the board with a home run in the third inning. Their next opponent is a Netherlands team that they're all to familiar with according to Cuba's manager, Victor Mesa.
"It's a fact we've had a tough time playing against the Netherlands,"Mesa said."We've learned from that."
The Cuban team has not been shy about bringing their big bats to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to Despiagne, sluggers Jose Abreu, Alexei Bell, and Yasmani Tomas have all homered during the Pool A section of the tournament which includes Brazil, China, and Japan.
Mesa knows not to take the Dutch team lightly. The Netherlands squad boasts MLB players, both past and present such as Atlanta Braves infeilder Andrelton Simmons, Nationals outfielder Roger Bernadina and past five-time All-Star and former Dodger, Andruw Jones. They also have Baltimore Orioles minor-leaguer Jonathan Schoop and the Nippon Professional Baseball's 2012 home run champ Wladimir Balentien.
Prior to facing Japan, the Cuban team had just had a huge 12-0 win over China, a victory that had to be stopped in the seventh inning due to the mercy rule.
Despite Cuba's proficient scoring in the last two games, he feels that his team has potential to do even more.
"Our goal is to become champions of the world," Mesa said. "Until we get that championship, I feel we are lacking something."
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