Even if it's later, I feel more pressure' Panama Defeats Cuba 1-3... Venezuela-Mexico 'side by side' European team win outright [2026 WBC]

*This content was translated by AI.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) kicked off in earnest in other continents. As expected, while Latin American countries were strong, Cuba won against Panama in the only face-off between Latin American countries.

Cuba defeated Panama 301 in Group A in the first round of the 2026 WBC finals at Estadio Hiram Bison in San Juan, Puerto Rico on the 7th (Korea Standard Time).

Livan Moinello (31, Softbank Hawks), a former member of the Japanese Professional Baseball (NPB), and Logan Allen (28, Cleveland Indians) of the Major League Baseball (MLB) faced off as starters.

Cuba, which had five hits in each of the two teams and hit in the right place, won. With two outs in the top of the second inning, Cuba's Yoelkis Guibert scored the first point with a superior solo shot. In the top of the third inning, leadoff hitter Eddy Capet hit a double to left field, and Yoan Moncada sealed it with a two-run shot to left. Panama only made up for a point in the bottom of the seventh inning with a timely hit by Leonardo Bernal and Yoan Camargo.

Cuban Monello became the winning pitcher with two hits, two walks and four strikeouts in three ⅔ innings. Allen of Panama became a losing pitcher with five hits (two homers) and five strikeouts and three runs in three innings.

At the same time, Ariel Furado (30, Samsung Lions), who was assigned to the Panama national team, increased the burden. Furado asked Samsung for his understanding and joined the Panama national team training. Panama announced that Furado will start in the second game against Puerto Rico on the 8th. Puerto Rico is also expected to face off with sluggers such as Nolan Arenado (Arizona Diamondbacks) and Elliott Ramos (San Francisco Giants).

European teams struggled in the subsequent Group B and Group D matches. Mexico defeated England 8-2 in their first Group B match in the first round of the finals at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas.

Mexican starter Javier Assad (29, Chicago Cubs) allowed two hits, one walk, and two strikeouts in three ⅔ innings, but failed to become a winning pitcher. This is due to the fact that Jack Anderson, a former Detroit Tigers player, started in England and pitched well with two hits (one homer) and three strikeouts and one run in three innings. England, which received a solo shot by Nacho Alvarez Jr. in the first inning, countered with Harry Ford's solo shot to the left in the sixth inning.

The match was decided in the top of the eighth inning when the score was 1-1. With two outs, Jaren Duran and Randy Arozarena got on base with consecutive walks. Jonathan Aranda hit a three-run left-hander to changed pitcher Tristan Beck.

Mexico's batters, who survived late, sealed the scoring in the top of the ninth inning when Alec Thomas scored a timely two-run double with one out and runners on the second and third bases, Joey Ortiz scored a timely two-run double, and Arozarena scored four runs with a timely RBI single to the right. With eight to six, England had more hits than Mexico, but struggled in scoring position.

Venezuela, which decided to participate in the WBC after many twists and turns, also beat the Netherlands 6-2 with a hot lineup. Venezuela and the Netherlands played their first Group D match in the first round of the tournament at Rondipo Park in Miami, Florida.

The showdown between starting pitchers from the Major League was tight. Anton Kelly, a former Pittsburgh Pirates player, started in the Netherlands and defended Venezuela's batters with four hits (one homer) and one walk, one strikeout and two runs in three innings. Rather, Venezuela's starting Ranger Suarez (Boston Red Sox) failed to gain the upper hand with three hits, one walk, and one run in two innings.

The match was decided in the bottom of the fifth inning. Venezuela's leadoff hitter Andres Jiminez hit the ball, Ronald Acuña Jr. walked, and Maikel Garcia loaded the bases with no outs with a bunt hit. Luis Arraez scored with a pushed walk, and Wilson Contreras sealed the score with a two-run timely hit to the left.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.