In what is arguably the greatest rivalry in all of international baseball, Cuba and the U.S. locked up in another classic battle on Friday, with Cuba coming out ahead, 5-4 in 11 innings.

With their respective cheering sections on their feet throughout, the U.S. (1-2) and Cuba (3-0) traded blows through 10 frames. Once in the 11th, the new International Baseball Federation extra-inning tie-breaker was put into place. It was the second time the tie-breaker had been used in Olympic competition, with the first happening only minutes prior at the China vs. Chinese Taipei game, being played on Field 2 at the same time.

In a wild 11th – with two runners starting on first and second with no outs – Cuba jumped out to a lead behind a two-run single from Michel Enriquez, scoring Hector Olivera and Luis Navas.

Down two, the U.S. came into the bottom of the 11th with Jason Donald on second and Dexter Fowler on first. Second baseman Jayson Nix led off, but on a bunt attempt, fouled a Pedro Lazo pitch into his face. Brian Barden replaced Nix and bunted the runners over to second and third. Terry Tiffee followed with a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Donald, but Matt Brown couldn’t bring Fowler home to even the score, popping out to catcher Eriel Sanchez to end the game.

Lazo (1-0) finished with the win for Cuba, pitching the game’s final six innings after relieving starter Luis Rodriguez in the sixth. USA starter Trevor Cahill was solid, allowing two runs over five innings. Reliever Jeff Stevens (0-2) took the loss for the U.S. – his second in as many appearances (Korea, Aug. 13).

Enriquez was the top hitter for Cuba, going 2-6 with a run scored and three RBI. Four players each had one RBI for the U.S., and Tiffee led Team USA batters with two hits.

Cuba faces Chinese Taipei at 11:30 on Saturday at Wukesong Baseball Main Field, while the U.S. takes on Canada at 10:30 on Field 2.

For more information please visit www.ibaf.org.

Source: IBAF