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)