U.S. beats Cuba 6-3, wins Baseball World Cup

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- American pitchers scattered seven hits, Jayson Nix and Jason Jaramillo had two RBIs apiece and the United States defeated Cuba 6-3 Sunday to win the Baseball World Cup.

The U.S. took command in the second inning when Jaramillo singled in a run, and Cuban starter Yadel Carrillo walked in two straight batters with the bases loaded to give the Americans a 3-0 lead.

Jaramillo singled in his second run in the third, and in the next inning Nix homered to put the U.S. ahead 5-0.

Cuba cut the lead to 5-2 on Alfredo Rodriguez's two-run single with two out in the fifth. Justin Ruggiano singled in a run in the seventh to put the U.S. up 6-2.

Alexander Kerr's RBI single in the eighth cut the margin to 6-3, but reliever Jeff Stevens shut down the Cubans in the ninth.

American starter Brian Duensing pitched well, but was taken out after giving up Rodriguez's two-run single in the fifth. Steve Shell came on and led the trio of American relievers in neutralizing the Cuban offense down the stretch.