Hard-throwing Cuban right-hander Yadel Marti tossed 6.2 perfect innings on Sunday to lead Cuba past Venezuela 10-0 in World Cup Group B action.

Marti (1-0) turned in the best pitching gem thus far in this tournament outclassing a formidable group of Latin American hitters. A seventh inning hit by Italian Baseball League star Lino Connell was the only offensive highlight of the game for Venezuela.

Cuba combined 10 hits with seven free passes to race out to a 7-0 lead after just two innings. Yoandry Urgelles was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI to help Coach Rey Anglada’s bunch remain the only unbeaten squad at the World Cup.

Marti fanned five while retiring the first 20 batters he faced. Jonder Martinez recorded the final out in an unexpectedly easy contest. The win was especially sweet for Cuba which lost a pair of games to Venezuela in a Latin American tournament last month.

Veteran catcher Ariel Pestano was 2-for-4 and scored a pair of runs while sluggers Alfredo Despaigne and Alex Mayeta each stroked a double and knocked in two RBI’s.

Cuba touched Venezuela starter Jackson Paz (0-1) for six second-inning runs and coasted to their fifth straight win. Beiker Graterol pitched five solid innings of relief for Venezuela giving up only two runs.

The unbeaten Cubans (5-0) will return to action on Tuesday against winless Thailand before meeting the Dutch on Wednesday in their Group B finale.

Venezuela has lost four straight games and will meet a tough Canada squad on Tuesday before ending their tournament against Thailand the following day.

Photo/ IBAF

Tags: World Cup