WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL A - CUBA VS PANAMA

March 6, 2026

Jose Mayorga

Hiram Bithorn Stadium

Team Panama

Postgame Press Conference

Cuba 3, Panama 1

Q. Where do you think this game was lost today? According to your consideration, the key, where was this game lost today?

JOSÉ MAYORGA: I thought it was a great game. Unfortunately, two pitches that Cuba's offense took advantage of, and we weren't able to stop that good bat, and Moinelo kept us from getting on the scoreboard.

Q. Three games between Cuba and Panama, and Cuba has been in different World Classics and Cuba has won. What do you think about this team?

JOSÉ MAYORGA: It's a great team, like all of us in this group. They have great pitching, and we know it. Things went very well for them today.

Q. I want to ask you, where do you think that Panama failed, knowing that we have one of the best teams in our participation in the World Baseball Classic?

JOSÉ MAYORGA: Well, today we simply weren't able to make enough runs. I think that we did a great job getting people on bases, but as I said, we didn't have a good timely hitting. But I'm happy with the pitching. It was great work today.

Q. There was a rally, and there were bases, things to improve for tomorrow before Puerto Rico. I think in three episodes Cuba did what they did. I believe that Panama had a chance to win this game and end up with the win. How are you going to prepare for the host team?

JOSÉ MAYORGA: Of course we have to try to limit the bases, so that we can have a better chance. I think pitching did a great job, regardless of those pitches that Cuba was able to take advantage of. We need to turn the page and start from scratch and get ready for tomorrow's game.

Q. The attempted stolen base in the first inning, I particularly didn't see it was logical with a man in scoring position and pressuring the Cuba. Then the out in the third when it went to the shortstop, can you explain your opinion about that?

JOSÉ MAYORGA: Yes, as I say, honestly, we shouldn't have gone with that ground ball. At the end of the day, we obviously know it wasn't done with intent to make an out. He thought he had a chance to get there. But these are things that we will talk over as a team.

The stolen base it was an out, and it was a close call, and if he had gotten a little better jump, he would have been safe.

Q. José, it was an aggressive game, especially stealing the bases, it killed the rally. Were they personal decisions or decisions of the team according to the direction of the game?

JOSÉ MAYORGA: We have very fast players. If you look at the roster, these are players that are characterized by speed. They have their moments, and I trust their decisions.

At the end of the day, had we gotten better momentum, as I said, I know that we talked about it, maybe this story would have been different.

Q. With two runners on, did you think of a sacrifice bunt?

JOSÉ MAYORGA: It was an option. I believe that Bradfield had the ability because he's a lefty to move the runner. We were trying to get people on bases to try to create a better rally.

Q. There are a few details because the questions that we're asking is why were you aggressive running the bases, whether the nerves or the scenario made him make these decisions?

JOSÉ MAYORGA: I believe that everything was handled in the best way possible. At the end of the day, I believe that Bradfield could have had a chance to move the runner. At the end of the day, the pitching was there, and he wasn't able to get a hit and he struck out and that's how things happen.

Q. We've got to give credit to the Cuban pitching, but do you think it could have affected a little of the fact that Panama is in preseason, most of the players in the Big Leagues with the offense, in such an important game for players?

JOSÉ MAYORGA: No, I think this is fair to all. We are ready. I don't like to give excuses, first of all, and I don't think that would be the reason. We simply have to give credit to the pitching. Our pitching, unfortunately, didn't have it.

Q. Quick turnaround, we have to have a short memory, but what is the message for the guys facing tomorrow's game?

JOSÉ MAYORGA: Turn the page, and tomorrow's another day.

Q. What was it that you all saw on Livan Moinelo, the Cuban ace starting pitcher and the Japanese leaguer? Second, what would you tell your ballplayers before they come out to play precisely in such a quick tournament that we have here?

JOSÉ MAYORGA: Well, we know the level of Livan Moinelo. As we said in the beginning, we were very aware of what he could use, his velocity. He did a great job. He pitches very well, and he showed it again.

Tomorrow, as I said, let's try to turn the page and go out and play one game at a time, which is important right now.

Q. One question about the game and basically about the tournament itself. You know the difficulty of some people to recruit players because of insurance and other situations. How do you see the future of this tournament now that the insurance thing makes it difficult?

JOSÉ MAYORGA: We're talking about the future of this tournament? Well, I think that we're here. The insurance thing is the same for everyone. There were cases everywhere. We, Puerto Rico, all teams. At the end of the day, it's all fair and square. I don't think there's anything to say.

What we have to do is try to avoid that kind of distraction and keep moving forward.

Q. (No microphone).

JOSÉ MAYORGA: At the end of the day, if those are the rules, it's a consensus. If that's how it is, if it's the same for everyone. Like every baseball fan, we would really love to be able to have them all, but we have to understand the insurance and all that entails.