Santa Clara Bombers Fall to Taipei in Little League World Series

The Santa Clara Bombers, representing Cuba in the Little League World Series held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, suffered their first defeat of the tournament, losing 10-2 to the Asia-Pacific region's team, Chinese Taipei.

The Cubans took an early lead in the first inning with two runs following a hit with the bases loaded. However, the Asian team gradually cut the lead and ultimately emerged victorious. For the Cuban side, Yans Espinosa started the game and pitched three scoreless innings. In the fourth inning, he issued a walk, his fifth of the game, and allowed his fourth hit, which coupled with a fielding error, led to the first run for their opponents.

Reliever Denis Zamora took over but lasted only briefly, leaving two runners on base before exiting. Alejandro Vázquez came in next, attempting to salvage the game, but after issuing a walk, he allowed a home run to Chiu Wei-Che, which cleared the bases and decided the game.

In their last at-bat, the Taiwanese team scored five more runs, solidifying the final score. Reliever Lai Cheng-Xi was credited with the win. The Cubans, who won their first game against the Europe-Africa representative, Czech Republic, will next face Mexico at 5:00 p.m. in a do-or-die match where the loser will be eliminated from the competition.

On the previous day, the Cuban team was visited by Major Leaguer Andy Ibáñez, who expressed pride in his fellow countrymen's performance.