TOKYO -- Jonathan Schoop hit a three-run homer to lead the Netherlands to a 6-2 win over Cuba in the second round of the World Baseball Classic on Friday.
Curt Smith homered and Andrelton Simmons added an RBI single to give the Netherlands a 2-0 lead in the second inning while chasing Cuba starter Ismel Jimenez.
Schoop's sixth-inning drive into the left-field stands at Tokyo Dome gave the Netherlands a 5-1 cushion in the first game of the second round in Asia. Two-time defending champion Japan was set to face Taiwan later Friday.
Alfredo Despaigne homered in the second inning to give Cuba its first run. Yulieski Gourriel went deep in the seventh to cut the deficit to 5-2.
