Cuba humbled in Classic, Dutch discover ace

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Reuters) - Puerto Rico inflicted a shock defeat on Cuba in the World Baseball Classic on Friday, while 18-year-old Shairon Martis of the Netherlands made his mark with the tournament's first no-hitter.

Cuba's 19-game win streak came to a shuddering halt with the 12-2 loss, their first since going down 6-3 to Japan at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Cuba -- whose performance at San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium has been dogged by talk about possible defections of prized but poorly-paid players -- had already advanced to the second round of the Classic before Friday's humiliating rout.

Six Cuban pitchers combined to give up eight walks and 10 hits with four strikeouts.

By contrast, Puerto Rico's Major League power and its homeplate advantage was more than evident. Carlos Beltran, Bernie Williams and Alex Cintron each slammed homers for the squad from the U.S. Caribbean territory.

Cuban manager Higinio Velez, speaking at a post-game news conference, suggested the loss was a fluke.

"It has happened only two times in so many years, so I think it's nothing to worry about," he said.

""It's simply a psychological readjustment we have to make. It's not going to affect us. You are going to see our face here tomorrow."

Puerto Rico will meet the Dominican Republic while Cuba goes against Venezuela in second-round action on Sunday.

Dutch pitcher Martis wrote his name in the record books with the inaugural event's first no-hitter as the Netherlands demolished Panama 10-0.

Both teams have been eliminated from the 16-nation tournament.

"It's a huge thing for me," said the San Francisco Giants prospect. "I'm very happy, very proud."