Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2007-07-21 From: Xinhuanet

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 20 (Xinhua) — Cuba proved itself the best baseball team in the world, beating the United States 3-1 for its 10th consecutive and 12th overall title at the Pan American Games here on Friday.

Thanks to the great performance of the pitcher Adiel Palma, the Cuban team kept their comfortable supremacy in the sport at Pan American Games.

Palma left the game during the eighth inning and allowed just one run, four hits and disqualified nine opponent batters. The runs for the victory were pushed by Alexander Mayeta and Eduardo Paret.

The only run of the United States in the match was pushed by the first base Justin Smoak. The American team had to settle for its 9th silver medal.

“I take a lot of pride in this medal, personally, and the Cuban people do it as well,” said Eduardo Paret, “particularly taking into account that this is our tenth consecutive title against an excellent team.”

“It was a very tense game, very well played. Despite being young, the American players are very talented and it was not easy to defeat them,” said Cuban coach Rey Vicente Anglada, “Baseball is to Cuba what football is in Brazil, the nation’s favorite sport. You see children playing it everywhere. I believe Cuba’s baseball future is bright for many years to come.” Anglada said.

U.S. coach Mike Weathers said his team lost the match due to lack of experiences: “Only two players had international experiences. This, of course, influenced on the results. But I believe the event was a great way to learn. Since our team is composed by university students, it is always changing. I’m proud of my team.”

“It was a very well played game. The Cuban pitcher Adiel Palma had a great performance and out batters just couldn’t bear with him. He pitched in variated speeds, making the game harder to us.” Weathers said.

The bronze medal match scheduled for Thursday had been cancelled by the organizers due to Rio’s rain. Both Nicaragua and Mexico had been awarded a bronze medal for the event.