BARCELONA ’92 OLYMPICS / DAY 11 : Cubans’ Show Has 1 More Act : Baseball: They beat U.S., 6-1, and play Taiwan for gold. Americans seek bronze.

The Dream Team might lose before Cuba’s baseball team.

The Cubans are that good--and that arrogant. Good, as in winning 71 of their last 72 games in seven international tournaments. Arrogant, as in showboating around the infield after home runs.

It was showtime again for the Cubans Tuesday night when they defeated the United States, 6-1, in a semifinal game.

The United States will meet Japan today in the bronze-medal game, and Cuba will play surprising Taiwan for the gold.

“They played about a perfect game,” said U.S. Coach Ron Fraser, whose team dropped its second game to Cuba in less than a week. “I thought we played pretty well, too. Usually, when Cuba plays a perfect game, you lose 16-1 or 20-1.”

The rest of the U.S. players seemed to feel the same way. No heads were bowed. No one cried.

“We were in it for a little while, but once they get cranking, it’s hard to stop them,” said Jason Giambi, the U.S. first baseman. “This team has amateur status with major league players.”

Shhh.

Cuban players can’t talk about playing in America’s major leagues. Cuban President Fidel Castro has told them so. Let the Americans do the talking.

“I haven’t seen an arm like Omar Ajete’s in college, and if I did, I’d have him investigated,” said Fraser, a longtime coach at the University of Miami, of Cuba’s relief ace.

Ajete came in during one of the few American threats Tuesday. The United States had closed to within 2-1 on a double by Chad McConnell in the sixth inning. Ajete entered the game with two out and runners on second and third.

He struck out Phil Nevin to end the inning and struck out five more before the game ended. He gave up only two hits.

He’s a left-hander with a 94 m.p.h. fastball and a nasty slider.

“I hope I don’t have to face him again,” Nevin said.

Cuban starting pitcher Osvaldo Fernandez was about as effective, giving up only five hits in 5 2/3 innings.

And there are other Cuban players with possible pro potential, such as shortstop German Mesa, third baseman Omar Linares and center fielder Victor Mesa.

Victor Mesa was two for four with four runs batted in Tuesday. He had a two-run homer in the sixth inning to give Cuba a 4-1 lead. He also had a two-run single in the ninth.

Linares was three for three, and German Mesa was two for two with an RBI.

It was suggested that the Cubans need to play an American from the major leagues.

“I think amateur and pro are very different,” said Cuban Coach Jorge Fuentes. “But I’d like to play a major league team to see what the comparison is.”

The Cubans may have major league talent, but some of their antics were considered bush by the Americans.

After Victor Mesa hit the home run, he ran around the field with his arms open as if he were encouraging everyone to stand and applaud. Orestes Kindelan hit a home run in the first inning and then did a little stutter step before he touched home plate.

There was more.

Designated hitter Lararo Vargas once growled at U.S. pitcher Rick Helling for throwing a fastball under his chin. Cuban players love to take extra swings before they step in the batters’ box.

The United States seems to bring out the best and worst from the Cuban team.

“We play so well against them because they are our main competitors,” Ajete said.

Fraser said: “I’ve been playing against Victor Mesa for a long time, and his nickname is El Logo. They love to beat us because they aren’t allowed to play in our major leagues. They love Victor Mesa in Cuba. They beat the drum louder when he does that kind of stuff. The thing is that he backs it up, too.”

The whole team does. Cuba hasn’t lost an international tournament game since the 1987 Pan American Games. That’s when the nucleus of this team was formed. The average age is 27.

“The only way you’re going to beat them is to catch them on an off day and play the best you can play,” Fraser said.

The United States was expected to earn at least a bronze medal in the 1992 Games, but even that seems unlikely against a Japanese team that beat the United States, 7-1, Monday night.

“We’re not going into tomorrow’s game with the burden of a country on our shoulders,” said Jeff Hammonds, the U.S. center fielder. “We’re going to get a good night’s sleep tonight and wake up tomorrow and it’s a new day. We’re going to come here and try to win a game and a bronze medal.”