Netherlands tops Cuba 4-2 to open World Baseball Classic

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports WBC Baseball Cuba Netherlands

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (AP) — The 20-team World Baseball Classic got underway after a six-year absence with the Netherlands defeating Cuba 4-2 in a Group A game in Taiwan to open the tournament.

In a late game on Wednesday, Panama played Taiwan in Group A.

Play in Group B begins on Thursday in Tokyo with South Korea playing Australia and host Japan — led by Angels star Shohei Ohtani — up against China. Play in Groups C and D begins Saturday in Phoenix and Miami.

The United States won the last tournament in 2017 and is among the favorites with the Dominican Republic and Japan. Japan has won it twice (2006, 2009) and the Dominicans once (2013).

This is the first World Baseball Classic in which MLB players are eligible to play for Cuba. Former MLB player Yoenis Cespedes, who played for Cuba in the event in 2009, hit .458 in that tournament and began his MLB career three years later with the Oakland Athletics. He played in part of eight seasons with Oakland, Boston, Detroit and the New York Mets.

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports Netherlands pitcher Shairon Martis pitches to a Cuba batter during the first inning of a Pool A game during the World Baseball Classic held at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taichung, Taiwan on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. (AP Photo/I-Hwa Cheng)

Cespedes, playing as the DH, was hitless and walked twice as Cuba managed only three hits. The game was a matchup between the two favorites in the group, giving the Dutch a big lift right out of the gate.

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports Cuba’s Yoelquis Guibert slides to the home base during the Pool A game against Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taichung, Taiwan on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. (AP Photo/I-Hwa Cheng)

Cuba went ahead 1-0 in the second on a double by Yadil Mujica to score Yoelkis Guibert.

Didi Gregorius singled home Roger Bernadina to tie it 1-1 in the third. The Netherlands took a 4-1 lead in the sixth when Josh Palacios singled home Gregorius, and a Chadwick Tromp single scored two more.

Cuba cut it to 4-2 in the seventh but could not get any more.

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© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports Baseball fans hold nationals flags of Cuba, Taiwan and Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) held at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taichung, Taiwan on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. (AP Photo/I-Hwa Cheng) © Provided by The Associated Press – Sports WBC Baseball Cuba Netherlands