Cuba explodes for 21 hits to knock off Panama for 1st win

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (AP) — Cuba pounded out 21 hits and picked up its first victory in the World Baseball Classic after losing its first two games in Group A.

Panama led 4-2 after two innings, breaking out with four runs in the second inning, keyed by a two-run homer by Ruben Tejada. But Cuba scored four runs in the sixth, five in the seventh and two more in the eighth for the lopsided 13-4 victory.

Yoan Moncada was 3-for-5 with four RBIs, and Yadir Drake went 4-for-4 with two RBIs to lead the Cubans.

Luis Miguel Tejada was the winning pitcher and Matthew Hardy picked up the loss for Panama.

Both teams a 1-2 in Group A play.