Matsuzaka pitches Japan to easy win over Cuba

Team Japan starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka pitches against Team Cuba in the fifth inning during Round 2 of the World Baseball Classic in San Diego, California March 15, 2009. (Reuters Photo)

SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - World Baseball Classic champion Japan and pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka continued their mastery over Cuba with a 6-0 second-round win on Sunday.

It was the fifth successive WBC victory, which included a win over Cuba in the championship game of the 2006 tournament, for the Boston Red Sox pitcher, who held the Cubans scoreless through six innings, striking out eight and scattering five singles.

Third baseman Shuichi Murata drove in two runs with a single and a sacrifice fly for Japan while catcher Kenji Johjima and infielder Akinori Iwamura both had two hits.

Frederich Cepeda had two singles and a double for an otherwise listless Cuba team, who went through most of their bullpen but could not stop Japan from pounding out 12 hits.

Japan jumped out to an early lead, scoring three runs in the third on five singles and a wild pitch, driving hard-throwing Cuban starter Aroldis Chapman from the game.

The other teams in the group South Korea and Mexico play later on Sunday.

Japan will play the winner of that game and can advance to the final round with another victory. Cuba will meet the loser in the round with a double elimination format.

The top two teams advance to the semi-finals.