WBC: Cuba 5, Australia 4

Pinch-hitter Yosbany Peraza’s two-out, two-run homer in the top of the eighth Tuesday gave Cuba a 5-4 win over Australia in the World Baseball Classic.

Cuba, which won the inaugural event last year, also got a solo homer from Yoennis Cespedes for a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth.

But Australia countered with three runs in the bottom half on Justin Huber’s RBI single and James Beresford two-run hit.

Cuba got one run back in the seventh on Michel Enriquez’s RBI double to set the stage for Peraza in the eighth.

Cuban pitcher Albertin Chapman gave up one run on three hits and struck out seven in four innings. Ismel Jimenez got the win in relief, getting the final eight outs.

Travis Blackley gave up one run and five hits in 5 2/3 innings for Australia, which will play Mexico Wednesday in an elimination contest.

Rich Thompson took the loss for surrendering the homer to Peraza.