Alex Smit Disptaches - Cuban Heels

The Netherlands beat Panama on Saturday to set up a showdown with Cuba on Sunday.

Cuba beat the Dutch by chipping out single runs in the 2nd, 4th and 6th innings. Right fielder Osmani Urrutia drove in two runs and Eriel Sánchez homered. Starting Pitcher Ormari Romero pitched 7 shutout innings, allowing 4 hits.

Alexander Smit pitched the last two innings for the losers. Smit gave up his first hit of the World Cup, but came out unscathed in the 8th. He went on to strike out 2 in the 9th. Good performance by the Twins prospect.

Cuba and the Netherlands may meet again in the final. The US dropped a heartbreaker to Japan over the weekend to put their continuation in the tournament in jeopardy. Even if they qualify, they face the prospect of meeting the Cubans in the quarters.

As I go on holiday this coming Saturday, I shall miss the World Cup final. There'll only be one more Alex Smit update before then. Hopefully, he'll get the chance to shut down the Cubans again next weekend.