Cuban hotshot Yuliesky Gourriel hit two home runs as the nine-time defending World Cup champions clinched the top seed in Group B with a 11-1 thrashing of Thailand on Tuesday.

Cuba, which still must face a hungry Dutch squad on Wednesday, remained the lone unbeaten team in the 16-nation tournament being staged in Taiwan. After a slow start the Cuban sluggers tagged Thai starter Wachira Tongthong for eight runs on 14 hits.

Second baseman Rudy Reyes knocked home three scores with a pair of doubles and top catching prospect Yosvany Peraza was 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBI’s. Both Alex Mayeta and Yoandry Urgelles also added two hits apiece for Cuba.

Another top prospect, hard-throwing Vladimir Banos, struck out eight while surrendering only three hits in five scoreless frames. Reliever Norberto Gonzalez recorded the final six outs to complete the four-hit shutout.

Thailand will end their first World Cup experience with a matchup against Venezuela on Wednesday while Cuba battles the Dutch on the same day.

Tags: World Cup