The 2009 Baseball World Cup came to an end today when the United States used a six-run seventh inning to defeat Cuba, 10-5. The Americans had two outs and nobody on before Tug Hulett walked, Buck Coates doubled, and Trevor Plouffe reached on an error to open the floodgates.
It was the second consecutive World Cup win (and fourth overall) for the United States. Cuba had won the previous nine events and 25 of 38 total.
Cuba loaded ‘em up with two outs in the ninth but couldn’t push any runs across. Nate Field recorded the final out to pick up the save. Brad Lincoln gave up three runs in 4.2 innings, including the game-tying homerun to Ariel Borrero in the sixth, to pick up the win.
Justin Smoak won the Most Valuable Player Award after hitting .291 and leading Team USA with nine homeruns and 22 RBI.
Rattler Radio followed the World Cup from the beginning and has the results of the various “place” games. The order of finish was as follows:
1. United States
2. Cuba
3. Canada
4. Puerto Rico
5. Australia
6. Netherlands
7. Venezuela
8. Taiwan
