Cuba routs China in World Baseball Classic

FUKUOKA, Japan - Jose Abreu hit a grand slam Monday to lead Cuba to a 12-0 rout over China in Group A of the World Baseball Classic at Fukuoka Dome.

The game was called under the tournament's mercy rule after the seventh inning.

Abreu drove in five runs as Cuba displayed the power that makes it one of the title contenders.

Alexei Bell hit a towering two-run homer to left to make it 4-0 in the fourth and Alfredo Despaigne put the result beyond doubt in the same inning when he doubled on a sharp ground ball to left, driving in Jose Fernandez and Frederich Cepeda to make it 6-0.

South Korea 6, Australia 0

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Seung Song allowed two hits in four innings and South Korea beat Australia Monday night in Group B.

The win lifted the South Koreans to 1-1 in the group and set up a crucial game against host Taiwan on Tuesday. Australia fell to 0-2.

Kim Hyun-soo drove in two runs for South Korea, which rebounded from an uncharacteristically sloppy display against the Netherlands in a 5-0 loss.

With a 2-0 record, the Taiwanese remain in a commanding position to advance to the next round in Tokyo. The Netherlands is also 1-1 after stunning South Korea, but must beat Australia on Tuesday.