Cuba's national baseball team lost its undefeated streak in the VI World Baseball Classic, falling 4-1 to host Puerto Rico at San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium. This defeat leaves Cuba needing a win against Canada on March 11 to advance to the quarterfinals. The game was marked by Cuba's offensive struggles, managing just two hits.
The March 9 matchup in San Juan shaped Group A's standings. Puerto Rico gained an early lead in the second inning with a bases-loaded double by captain Martín Maldonado off Cuban starter Julio Robaina, scoring three runs. Carlos Cortes later added another via a sacrifice fly against reliever Yosimar Cousín.
Cuba's lone response came in the sixth when Alfredo Despaigne's double, aided by a defensive error, drove in their only run. This hit brought Despaigne to 29 career WBC hits, ranking him third all-time behind Cuba's Frederich Cepeda and Puerto Rico's Carlos Beltrán.
Puerto Rican manager Yadier Molina voiced pleasure at advancing to the second round, noting pitching as the team's strength while the offense would contribute as needed to secure wins. On his pivotal double, Maldonado said: “We’re happy about the victory. About that double, I can tell you I don’t remember anything. I don’t even remember what I did (…) You have to give credit to the hitters before me; they had good at-bats and managed to get on base so I could get the hit”.
Cuban manager Germán Mesa acknowledged the opponents' pitching prowess: “Puerto Rico’s pitching was excellent. It’s a team that, if it gets ahead, will be hard to beat because its pitchers are impressive”.
Cuba ranks next-to-last in tournament batting average at .170, just ahead of Brazil's .130. Additionally, Alexei Ramírez from Pinar del Río became the oldest player to appear in all six WBC editions. For the pivotal Canada clash, Mesa tapped left-hander Livan Moinelo to start, following his strong outing in the opener against Panama.
The win clinched Puerto Rico's spot as the group's first quarterfinal qualifier, putting Cuba in a must-win situation.
