Sports briefs: Cuba upsets Japan in World B..

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Baseball • Alfredo Despaigne hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning, helping Cuba defeat two-time defending champion Japan 6-3 Wednesday to finish first in Group A of the World Baseball Classic.

Despaigne's home run off reliever Takeru Imamura at Fukuoka Dome in Japan gave Cuba a 6-0 lead. Cuba set up a second-round showdown with Group B runner-up the Netherlands on Friday.

Japan will face Taiwan in the second round.

• Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer has been called upon to replace injured Yankees slugger Mark Teixeira on the United States team for the World Baseball Classic.

Hosmer received a text message late Tuesday from Tony Clark of the players union, asking if he'd be interested in a spot on the roster.

Wambach lifts U.S. to win over Iceland

Soccer • Abby Wambach scored her 154th career goal Wednesday, leaving her four shy of tying Mia Hamm's all-time record, and the U.S. women opened the Algarve Cup with a 3-0 victory over Iceland in Faro, Portugal.

Wambach scored in the 86th minute off an assist by Alex Morgan. Rachel Buehler and Shannon Boxx also scored for the Olympic champions, who are seeking their ninth title in 18 Algarve Cup appearances.

From wire reports

Sports briefs: Cuba upsets Japan in World Baseball Classic