Cuba just started play in the World Baseball Classic. Bruce Chen of Panama retired the Cubans in order in the first. Panama needs a win today to keep their hopes of advancing to the next round alive.

Update: With one out in the bottom of the first, two single and a hit batter load the bases for Panama.

Update: Cuba turns a double play to get out of the inning.

Update: Osmani Urrutia singles off the wall leading off the second for Cuba's first hit of the series.

Update: An infield fly (dropped) and a double play get Panama out of the inning without allowing a run. The boxscore is running way behind, but it sounds like Chen isn't throwing very many pitches.

Update: Chen is at 16 pitches through two innings.

Update: With one out, Panama gets a walk, a single and a ground rule double as Yoni Lasso drives in the first run of the game. That chases the Cuban starter Lazo, who threw 40 pitches.

Update: Saenz is up with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the second.

Update: Saenz forces the runner at second. Panama keeps putting runners on base. Eventually, more will come around to score. They lead Cuba 1-0 after two.

Update: Cuba scored twice in the top of the third while I walked home. They lead Panama 2-1 after three.

Update: Cuban reliever Vic Odelin is mowing down the Panama batters. He's retired 8 of 9 batters he's faced. It's still 2-1 Cuba after four.

Update: The pitchers keep dominating as both sides fail to score in the 5th.

Update: A hit by pitch and a bloop single put Panama reliever Gomez in hole in the top of the sixth.

Update: After a "productive out" an intentional walk loads the bases.

Update: Panama gets Cuba's slow moving catcher to hit into a double play. The play developed slowly, but out was not close at first. Panama still trails 2-1.

Update: Panama gets the first two on the bottom of the sixth, and Ruben Rivera goes the opposite way with a three run homer. Panama now leads 4-2, and Odelin is done. The Cubans kept him in three batters too long. Up until this point, it was an impressive relief performance.

Update: Pedroso relieves and gets the side. Panama needs to hang on for three innings to keep the second round alive.

Update: Cuba gets a run back in the 7th. They are still threatening with runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out.

Update: Cuba now has the bases loaded.

Update: Cuba ties the game on a deep sacrifice fly to center field. All the runners move up, so it's 2nd and 3rd with two out.

Update: A pop out to second ends the inning. It's knotted at four in the middle of the 7th.

Update: It's still tied in the top of the ninth. Cuba gets the leadoff man on with the fifth hit batter of the game, and then bunt him to second.

Update: The Cuban runner gets picked off at second base. A huge mistake. Two out, bases empty.

Update: Acosta walks the next batter. Gourriel is up for the Cubans.

Update: Oh those base on balls. Gourriel sends it deep into the stands for a two run homer and a 6-4 lead for Cuba.

Update: A caught stealing ends the inning for Cuba. Panama needs two in the bottom of the ninth.

Update: DeLeon walks to lead off the inning for Panama.

Update: Pinch hitter Espino singles through the hole at shortstop to put runners on first and second with none out, and Cuba goes to the bullpen.

Update: Cuba makes a huge defense gaff. Miller bunts down the third base line, they go for the out at third and the throw is late. Panama now has the bases loaded and one out. Always get the sure out.

Update: Herrera strikes out swinging for the first out.

Update: Saenz dumps one into short right center. The outfielders were deep to prevent two runs, but they allow one to score. It's 6-5 with one out and the tying run at third.

Update: Carlos Lee falls behind 0-2.

Update: Lee strikes out swinging. What a terrible at bat by the best hitter on the team.

The next batter, however, gets hit on the forearm to tie the game! Agnoly is in pain, but it's a good pain. Bases loaded, two outs, game tied at six for Ruben Rivera.

Update: Maya, the Cuban pitcher has a wicked breaking ball. He's behind Rivera 2-1, however.

Update: Rivera jumps out of the way of ball 3.

Update: The count goes to 3-2 as Rivera takes a pitch.

Update: Rivera dumps one into center field, but the second baseman Gourriel goes out and catches it to end the inning. They'll go to the 10th.

Update: Cuba has a runner reach on a strikeout in the 10th, but that's it. Panama can win with a run in the bottom of the 10th.

Update: The Cuban right fielder and first baseman collide on a foul ball. It should be the first out, but the lead off hitter gets another chance.

Update: Ruiz ends up grounding out hard to third.

Update: Panama goes 1-2-3 in the 10th. Only four innings left!

Update: Panama pitches around Gourriel, but the next two hitters get two out singles to drive in two runs. It's 8-6 Cuba in the top of the 11th.

Update: Cuba ends the inning by trying to steal third and failing. Last time they took a two-run lead, they ran themselves out of a bigger inning as well. We'll see if it haunts them again.

Update: Miller doubles leading off the bottom of the 11th. Panama will not go quietly.

Update Marti is on to try to finish the game for Cuba.

Update: Marti gets a grounder to short, and the runner moves up to third.

Update: Saenz grounds out to third. Lee is up with a man on third.

Update: Lee hits a 3-1 pitch hard, but lines out deep to the left fielder. Panamas chances of moving on to the next round are pretty much finished. It was an exciting game, with both great and poor play. The win by Cuba gives them a great chance to move on to the next round.

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