A capsule look at Japan’s 1-0 win against Cuba at the Series
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A closer look at Japan's opening 1-0 victory over first-time attendee Cuba
PLAY OF THE GAME -- Though Cuba's overall defensive performance was sound, it did give up some ground early on, which proved to be fatal. After back-to-back walks issued by starting pitcher Luis Gurriel, Japan right fielder Yohei Yamaguchi hit a single, which allowed Hinata Uchigaki to run in for the lone score of the game.
JAPAN PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Starting pitcher Hinata Uchigaki: The Japanese pitcher threw all the way until the sixth inning, striking out 13 batters while walking just three. Through five innings, he did not allow a single hit, playing a large role in its no hitter and shutout victory over Cuba. He also attributed the team's lone run.
CUBA PLAYER OF THE GAME --Shortstop Edgar Torrez: Though Cuba was held hitless through the entire game, its defense didn't allow much more offensive action than its opponent.
Torrez played a large role in that, ending the first inning with a great throw to first while Japan had multiple runners in scoring position and playing a large role in the double play that ended the fourth. He was subbed in once Gurriel hit 85 pitches and pitched a clean two innings, where he allowed zero players to get on base.
BIG INNING -- Japan had a chance to extend its lead in the top of the fifth inning, obtaining corners thanks to two walks and one hit pitcher. But after Cuba made a pitching change, subbing out Ismael Ortega of Edgar Torrez, it managed to get the last two outs it needed to keep the game within one run.
Each of those plays allowed Cuba to remain in the game until the final out, making its first game in the series memorable despite not being successful on offense.
BEST EFFORT -- After surrendering the only run of the game, it looked like Cuba was about to start imploding a bit, with it putting Cuba's outfield in the at-bat that followed. A shot to right field could've spelled doom for the team if it wasn't handled well, as Japan had two runners sprinting to add to its lead total.
But Torrez effectively corralled it and made a great throw to first to keep Japan's damage distributed to a minimum.
FLASHING LEATHER -- As a whole, Japan's defense was unbreakable, allowing just four players to get on base -- all with walks -- and striking out fourteen batters. Even when starting pitcher Hinata Uchigaki was forced out due to hitting his pitch limit, closer Akito Masuda pitched a solid six inning, allowing one walk and striking out one batter.
WHAT THE ADULTS SAY -- "We didn't expect that kind of pitching today and that affected our key players, our key hitters like Gurriel and Aparicio," said Cuba manager Vladimir Vargas through a translator. "We're going to be looking at what we did wrong today and try to work on that. We're here to play baseball and we're going to be playing game by game."
WHAT THE KIDS SAY -- "Yes, I felt under pressure," said closing pitcher Akito Masuda through a translator, referring to when he replaced Uchigaki at pitcher.
WHAT IT MEANS -- With the win, Japan advances to the next round of the International bracket, where it'll face Mexico on Friday. Mexico had a first-round bye. Cuba was sent to the losers' bracket, where it'll attempt to remain alive against the loser of Curacao vs. Australia, who face off tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Volunteer Stadium.