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 Exhibition Baseball Recap (Cuban All-Stars-Baltimore) Posted: Tues May 4, 1999 at 1:33 a.m EDT CUBAN ALL-STARS 12, BALTIMORE 6BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The Cuban All-Stars became the latest team to pound on Baltimore Orioles pitching, banging out 18 hits en route to an easy 12-6 victory in the second half of an historic home-and-home exhibition series. Following a 56-minute rain delay, the Orioles opened the scoring in the first on Harold Baines' two-run double but the Cuban All-Stars took the lead for good with four runs in the second off starter Scott Kamieniecki, who is on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. "They did what they had to do, give them credit," Kamieniecki said. "I didn't handle it very well. We played them for real, the game meant more for them." "The worst thing that can happen to a pitcher on rehab happened, a rain delay, especially in an exhibition," Orioles manager Ray Miller said. "We had him throwing every 10 minutes but he just didn't have it when he came back. "They wanted it much more than we did. My hat is off to them. They put a bunch of hits on the board." Danel Castro, who went 4-for-5 and scored four times, had a two-run triple and first baseman Calvin Pickering committed one of his three errors to lead to another run. Omar Linares reached safely all six times he came to the plate, going 4-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two walks. "They made some adjustments from the last game. They play all year round," Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick said. "Right now, we have to stay focused on the season and forget about this and think about Chicago tomorrow, that's more important." Norge Vera entered in the third inning and held the Orioles without a hit until the ninth. He retired 20 of 22 batters before allowing Delino DeShields' three-run homer in the final inning. The Cubans tacked on five runs in the ninth against rookie Gabe Molina, highlighted by Andy Morales' three-run homer. Morales did not hide his excitement as he rounded the bases, raising his arms and pumping his fists. "It can irritate you if you let it. You just let them celebrate," Orioles center fielder Brady Anderson said. "They should make a big deal about this one. They played good and they deserve it." The game was not without incident. In the top of the fifth inning, a fan ran onto the field carrying a banner and was tackled and slammed to the ground by Cuban second-base umpire Cesar Valdez. The Orioles edged Cuba, 3-2, in 11 innings on March 28 in the first visit to Havana by a major league team in more than 40 years. Unlike the first game, the Cubans fielded a star-studded team.
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