Cubans Beat U.S., Fullerton’s Garcia

Longo Garcia of Cal State Fullerton gave up five runs on six hits in one-plus innings as the United States was defeated by the Cuban national team, 7-3, Friday night in front of an estimated 35,000 spectators at Havana, Cuba.

Only two of the runs scored off Garcia were earned.

Cuba took a 3-0 lead in the first when Victor Mesa reached first on a throwing error by second baseman Steve Hecht and Antonio Pacheco followed with a single which bounced off Garcia and through to center field.

With one out, Orestes Kindelan grounded out to score Mesa. Luis Casanova hit a two-run home run.

Cuba added two runs in the second when Evenecer Godinez singled and scored on Mesa’s double that knocked out Garcia, who took the loss. His record on the tour is 1-1.

The game was attended by Cuban President Fidel Castro.

It was the second straight victory for the Cubans in the five-game series, which resumes Sunday. The loss drops the United States to 17-3 in their 37-game tour preceding the Pan American Games.