Arismendy Alcantara and Robert Corniel lead Dominican Republic ahead of Cuba to first Premier12 win
World No. 12 Dominican Republic came from behind to defeat No. 9 Cuba, 6-1, at Taipei Tianmu Stadium. The seventh inning represented the game's turning point. The Dominican Republic scored the go-ahead run. Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) reliever Robert Corniel protected the lead as he took over with runners at second and first and no one out. He escaped the jam despite facing the third and fourth in the batting order.
"Well, close games often are decided in the late innings," said Dominican manager César Martin. "The team wanted this win, but this will not change our approach. We need to keep focusing on one game at a time. This tournament is incredibly competitive, we won't fall asleep."
Veteran left-hander Yoennis Yera and 35-year-old former major leaguer Wily Peralta duelled for five innings. Yera, who proved very effective with his curveball, got some help from third baseman Yoann Moncada's diving catch in the second and allowed the first hit to Kelvin Gutierrez in the top of the fourth.
"Yera was very effective tonight. It was a good decision to start him ahead of Livan Moinelo, who was also ready. He gave us a perfect job," commented Cuba's manager Armando Johnson after the game.
Peralta, who topped 153 kilometres (or 96 miles) per hour with his fastball, kept Cuba off balance with his off-speed pitcher. Kelvin Gutierrez at third and Rainer Nunez at first helped him on a pair of rare good contacts.
Cuba took the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Alfredo Despaigne reached on a one-out single, sending Peralta to the showers after 78 pitches. Right-hander Gerald Ogando took over but couldn't get an out. The reliever hit Ariel Martinez and allowed a single to Yadir Drake. He left with the bases loaded for Joely Rodriguez.
The lefty's third pitch went away from catcher Frank Rodriguez and Despaigne scored from third, putting Cuba ahead.
Leodan Reyes replaced Yera in the top of the seventh and the Dominican Republic reversed the lead. The reliever got two quick outs and then allowed back-to-back walks to Pedro Gonzalez and Ricardo Cespedes, the second after a 15-pitch duel.
Pinch hitter Arismendy Alcantara singled to the gap in right-centre on the first pitch he saw. Gonzalez scored from second, and Cespedes reached home on an error. Alcantara advanced to third on the play.
"If I could go back to the game, I would make a pitching change," said Johnson after the game. "Facing a switch hitter, we thought he could be less dangerous hitting left-handed; that cost us the game."
Left-hander Geodel Gutierrez got out of the inning with four pitches.
Cuba wasted a scoring chance in the bottom of the seventh. Joely Rodriguez walked Roel Santos to lead off the at-bat. Moncada followed with a base hit, and the Dominican Republic called Robert Corniel from the bullpen. The Hiroshima Toyo Carp reliever struck out Erisbel Arruebarruena on three pitches and got Despaigne to ground into an inning-ending double play on a 1-2 count.
"I got the strike out on the slider and I got the grounder I needed on another slider," commented Corniel after celebrating with his teammates in the locker room. "The team needed that. I will keep focusing on every hitter I face to help the team get more wins."
The Dominican Republic added a run in the top of the eighth. Frank Alvarez allowed a two-out walk to Kelvin Gutierrez. Andretty Cordero followed with a ground-rule double to left field, and Rainer Nunez made it 3-1 with a single through the right side. Cuba handed the ball to Yankiel Mauris to get out of the inning.
They broke the score open with a three-run top of the ninth, capped by a two-RBI triple by Kelvin Gutierrez.
Diego Castillo pitched a perfect bottom of the ninth to end the game.
On Thursday, November 14, Cuba will face No. 6 Korea at Tianmu Stadium. The Dominican Republic will play the hosts and No. 2 Chinese Taipei at the Taipei Dome.