Japan Beats Cuba in World Baseball Classic

HAVANA, Cuba, March 16 (acn) Daisuke Matsuzaka continued his mastery of the Cuban lineup to lead defending champions Japan within a victory of reaching the semifinal round of the 2009 World Baseball Classic (WBC).

The right-hander struck out eight in six shutout innings as Japan blanked Cuba 6-0 on Sunday at the Petco Park in San Diego, United States, in a second-round game that was a rematch of the inaugural 2006 Classic final in which the Asians also beat Cuba 10-6.

Matsuzaka, who was the Most Valuable Player of the 2006 Classic going 3- 0 with a 1.38 earned-run average and 10 strikeouts, threw 61 of his 86 pitches for strikes and together with a trio of relievers struck out 12 Cubans in all and never allowed a Cuban runner beyond second base.

Cuban left-handed starter Aroldis Chapman was pounded by Japan for three runs in the third inning.

Kenji Johjima and Akinori Iwamaura led the Japanese attack with two hits apiece.

"We will stay calm. We will come back with our all. Nobody will win this Classic without losing a game. Psychologically we’re already preparing for it. Our fans need to stay calm and trust in us. We know what we need to do," said Cuban manager Higinio Velez.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday, South Korea downed Mexico 8-2 in this pool in San Diego.

After these results, Japan and South Korea advanced to a Tuesday game that will decide a berth in next weekend's semifinals in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, the previously unbeaten Cubans will face Mexico on Monday evening in a knockout game from the double-elimination competition.

Elsewhere, in the other group, the United States kept their semifinal round aspirations alive as they eliminated the Netherlands with a 9-3 win at the Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida. Thus, on Tuesday they will face the loser of the Venezuela-Puerto Rico game that will grant the
first semifinal ticket on Monday.

(México rival de Cuba hoy, en partido decisivo del II Clásico)

Panamanian First Vice President Visits Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba, March 16 (acn) Panamanian First Vice President and Foreign Minister, Samuel Lewis Navarro is on a working visit to Cuba.

According to Granma news daily, during his stay in the Caribbean Archipelago, the distinguished visitor will meet with Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, and with other state and government officials.

They will discuss bilateral relations and other topics of international interest.

(Se encuentra en Cuba Primer Vicepresidente y Canciller de Panamá)

Mexico Hosts Festival of Cuban Culture

HAVANA, Cuba, March 16 (acn) Exhibitions, film screenings, dances and lectures are part of the 6th Festival of Cuban Culture that begins today in the Mexican state of Guanajuato, and runs until next Sunday, March 2nd.

According to Prensa Latina news agency, the event is taking place in the municipality of San Miguel de Allende, a World Heritage Site, and is dedicated to late Cuban singer and composer Ibrahim Ferrer.

The Director General of the festival, Guadalupe Meza, said that the event will also have traditional music, craftwork and literature, with the presentation of nearly 250 titles of music produced and recorded in Cuba.

The literature includes titles dedicated to children as well as Cuban classics in the categories of short story, novel and poetry.

San Miguel de Allende and the municipality of Old Havana, both declared by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites, signed a twinning agreement in May 2000. Ever since, they have maintained cooperation ties in the areas of education, culture, sports and heritage conservation.

(Festival de la Cultura Cubana en México)