DURHAM, N.C. — Cuba plated three runs in the fourth inning and got a strong start from Yoani Yera, posting a 5-1 win over the USA Collegiate National Team, on Friday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
Team USA (8-5) suffered its first loss to Cuba in the five-game series, after posting 2-0 wins in each of the first two games, which included the first no-hitter against Cuba in international play. Cuba jumped out to a 2-0 lead with single runs in the first and second innings, before jumping out to a 5-0 lead with a three-run frame in the fourth.
The series will resume on Saturday with a 6 p.m. start time in Charlotte at the Charlotte Knights Ballpark.
At the plate, Team USA was led by a two-hit game for Nick Banks (Texas A&M), who drove in the lone run. Banks has had a hit in 12 of 13 games and has reached base safely in all 13 games with Team USA. Corey Ray (Louisville) ripped a first-inning double, with Ryan Howard (Missouri) also notching a double. Second baseman Garrett Hampson (Long Beach State) added a single.
Team USA starter Mike Shawaryn (Maryland) worked 1.2 innings, allowing five hits and two runs, not issuing a walk and striking out three. With two runners in scoring position and two outs in the second inning, Team USA turned to Zach Jackson (Arkansas), who escaped the jam with a strikeout. Jackson worked 1.2 innings, allowing three hits and three runs – two earned – walking one and striking out four. Bailey Clark (Duke) got the final two outs in the fourth inning, recording one strikeout.
Lefty Anthony Kay (UCONN) started the fifth inning, working three shutout innings, scattering three hits and striking out three. Righty Zack Burdi (Louisville) came on to start the eighth inning, cruising through two shutout frames, allowing just one hit, striking out one. Burdi threw just six pitches in each of his innings.
Cuba (1-2) took its first lead of the series in the first inning, starting with a one-out double off the wall by Yorbis Borroto to leftfield. After a fly out, Alexander Malleta doubled into the right-centerfield gap, scoring Borroto for a 1-0 lead.
Cuba mounted a one-out rally in the second inning, as Rudy Reyes singled with one out and Yulexis La Rosa followed with a single through the right side to put runners on the corners. Yordan Manduley then smacked a single to rightfield, scoring Reyes for a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the fourth inning, Cuba stretched its lead with three runs in the fourth inning. Rudy Reyes led off with a single and after an out, Manduley dropped down a bunt single. The throw sailed high and allowed each runner to move up a base on the Manduley bunt single. A dropped third strike allowed a second run to score and allow Jose Adolis Garcia to reach first base. Borroto then singled to rightfield to score Manduley and Frederich Cepeda then forced in the third run of the inning with a sacrifice fly.
Team USA got on the board in the fourth inning as Howard led off with a double into the right-centerfield gap, scoring on Banks’ RBI single into rightfield.
Yera (1-0) worked six innings for the win, allowing just one run and one walk, striking out six. Livan Moinelo worked two shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out three. Hector Mendoza came on to pitch the ninth inning.
GAME NOTES: Mike Shawaryn (Maryland) made his second start of the summer … Bryson Brigman (San Diego) made his first start of the summer in leftfield … Corey Ray (Louisville) doubled for the fifth time on the summer … Ray has had a hit in 12 of 13 games this summer … Zach Jackson (Arkansas) appeared in his fourth game of the summer … Team USA turned its sixth double play of the summer … Bailey Clark (Duke) appeared in his second game of the summer for Team USA … Anthony Kay (UCONN) appeared in his third game of the summer, and his second in relief … Nick Banks (Texas A&M) has reached base safely in all 13 games this summer and has a hit in 12 of 13 games … Banks doubled for the third time on the summer … Zack Burdi (Louisville) appeared in his team-leading sixth game of the summer … Cuba leads the all-time series with Team USA, 66-37.
