FUKUOKA, Japan -- Cuba beat Brazil 5-2 on Sunday in its first game of the World Baseball Classic.
Cuba, the 2006 runner-up, was held hitless through four innings but broke out with two runs in the fifth and padded its lead with three more in the sixth inning at Fukuoka Dome.
Frederich Cepeda scored from third on a fielder's choice to give Cuba a 3-0 lead in the sixth and shortstop Erisbel Arruebarruena drove in two more runs with a bases-loaded single to left.
Brazil responded with two runs in the bottom of the sixth but that was all the scoring for Barry Larkin's team which dropped to 0-2.
Cuban starter Ismel Jimenez picked up the win after striking out six over 4 2-3 scoreless innings.
