WBC: Netherlands 6, Cuba 2

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TOKYO, March 8 (UPI) -- Curt Smith hit a solo home run and Jonathan Schoop added a three-run blast Friday in the Netherlands' 6-2 win over Cuba in the World Baseball Classic.

Smith's homer led off the second inning and Schoop's put the Dutch up 5-1 in the sixth in the opening second-round game of Pool 1.

The Netherlands advances to a game Sunday against Japan, which defeated Taiwan 4-3 in 10 innings Friday. Cuba and Taiwan are relegated to an elimination game Saturday.

Diegomar Markwell (1-0) scattered nine hits and one walk over six innings in picking up the win while Cuban starter Ismel Jimenez (0-1) gave up two runs and five hits in 1 2/3 innings.

Smith's home run marked the first run of the game but Kalian Sams followed with a double and made the score 2-0 on a single by Andrelton Simmons. Cuba got its lone run off Markwell when Alfredo Despaigne hit a home run in the bottom of the inning.

Sams doubled with one out in the sixth and, after another out, Simmons walked. Cuba changed pitchers but Schoop hit the second pitch from Yadier Pedroso over the wall in left-center.

Yulieski Gourriel had a home run for Cuba in the seventh and Schoop doubled in Simmons in the seventh to complete the scoring.