Tampa Bay Rays Defeat Cuba 4-1; Top Moments From Historic Event [PHOTOS]

It's hard to believe #MLBinCuba and #RaysinCuba were trending on Twitter today, but the positive step forward to better the relationship between the United States and Cuba was a success. Barack Obama and Raul Castro sat together in the stands as the Tampa Bay Rays faced the Cuban National Team.

The Rays defeated Cuba 4-1 in the historic exhibition game. It was the first time since 1999 that an MLB team visited the communist island and just the second time since 1959. Matt Moore, who started the game for the Rays, was actually the first left-handed MLB pitcher to start a game in Cuba since Sandy Koufax did in '59.

Moore tossed six shutout innings and allowed just six hits and a walk while striking out three. He got some help from first baseman James Loney, who went 2-for-2 on the day with a run scored and three RBI. Fellow first baseman Steve Pearce added an RBI single in the seventh to extend the Rays' lead to 4-0.

On the other hand, Cuban pitchers Yosvani Torres and Livan Moinelo weren't so lucky. Torres started the game and allowed one run over 2-2/3 innings and Moinelo relieved him and gave up two runs in one inning of work. The Rays recorded just five hits on the day and three came in the first 3-2/3 innings.

Cuban infielder Rudy Reyes helped his team avoid the shutout with a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth off Rays pitcher Alex Colome. The Cubans scattered nine hits and a walk on the day, but failed to cash in on good opportunities in the first and ninth innings.

Some believed the terrorist attacks in Brussels earlier today may have deterred President Obama from attending the historic event in Cuba, but he explained his decision during an in-game interview.

"The whole premise of terrorism is to try to disrupt people's ordinary lives," he said. "[Terrorists] can't defeat America ... what they can do is scare us, and make people afraid, disrupt our daily lives and divide us. As long as we don't allow that to happen, we're going to be OK."

But anyway, let's get to the good stuff. Here are the best moments from the Rays matchup against Cuba!

Tags

Tampa bay rays, Cuba, Spring training, President Obama