Capitalism 4, Communism 0.
The most significant preseason baseball game in Tampa Bay Rays history ended up in an easy victory of the Rays Tuesday, as Tampa Bay beat the Cuban National team, 4-1.
Matt Moore threw six shutout innings, and James Loney drove in three runs on a single and a home run to beat the Cubans in a game that often seemed more impressive by the dignitaries who attended. Besides U.S. President Barrack Obama, those in attendance included Cuban President Raoul Castro, commissioner Rob Manuel, Derek Jeter, Dave Winfield and Joe Torre.
The Cubans seemed clearly outmanned, perhaps because so many of its stars have already defected to the United States. Jose Abreu of the White Sox, Jose Iglecias of the Tigers, Yoenis Cespedes of the Mets, Yasiel Pueg of the Dodgers and Aroldis Chapman of the Reds are among them.
The Rays’ players seemed to embrace the afternoon, giving flowers to first lady Michelle Obama, giving teammate Dayron Varona a standing ovation and swapping jerseys with the Cuban players the end.
Cuba did score a run in the bottom of the ninth when Rudy Reyes homered.
