Although they lost 9-5 this Sunday at Calixto García Stadium, the Holguin Cubs won the first game of the 64th National Baseball Series against the Alazanes of Granma, 3-2.
Right-hander Alexei Ricardo (1-0), who retired the first nine batters faced, managed to extend his outing to six innings. Allowing four runs and four hits, striking out six batters, and issuing four walks, earning the victory.
First reliever Yurisén Blanco allowed hits to both batters faced, and left-hander Leandro David Bellas came in to save the day, allowing one earned run in three innings. With three hits, one strikeout, and one walk, earning his first save.
In the game, Alfredo Despaigne (3-1, 2 RBI) hit his third home run of the season, reaching 290, which placed him eleventh in home runs in the National Classics, breaking a tie with the late Pedro José Rodríguez.
Among the dozen hits for the Alazanes, who committed a blunder. The highlight was Osvaldo Abreu’s (5-2, 2 RBI) first home run with a baserunner on base. Ernesto Pérez (3-2, 2B, 1 RBI) and Darián Palma (4-2) also excelled with the bat.
For the Cubs, who connected nine hits and played cleanly on defense, substitutes Ernesto Torres (2-2, 1 RBI), Adriel Hechavarría (1-1, 1 RBI), and Andris Agüero (1-1). Along with Lázaro Cedeño (3-1, 2B, 1 RBI), stood out offensively.
The loss went to left-handed starter Uberleydis Estévez, who recorded only one out, allowed two earned runs, issued one walk, and surrendered a home run. Fellow left-hander Norge Luis Cobas got two outs but was allowed four earned runs.
However, José Miguel Rodríguez’s performance was commendable, as he managed to walk 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and striking out three. While left-hander Andriuw Valido fanned all three batters he faced (Yulieski Remón, Abreu, and Pedro Almeida).
Including this match, which ended 3-2 for the hosts, Granma and Holguin have met in the national series 292 times, with 169 victories for the Alazanes and 123 for the Cubs. Next Tuesday through Sunday, the Cubs will host the Guantanamo Indians at Calixto García Stadium.
On Sunday, the Santiago de Cuba Wasps completed their sweep of the La Isla Pirates. Beating them 10-6 at Guillermón Moncada Stadium, with a personal victory for Osvaldo Acuña. In the subseries, the indomitable team scored 61 runs and hit 10 home runs.
In the Latin American Championship, Industriales defeated Cienfuegos 8-1, thanks to the fine work of Maykel Taylor on the mound and a home run by Yasmani Tomás. Sancti Spiritus won again, this time 3-2 against Villa Clara, and like the Sancti Spiritus team, they have now recorded four victories in the subseries.
Matanzas, who defeated Ciego de Avila 4-1 in 10 innings with a decisive three-run rally, also dominated the match 4-1. The Tigres scored the first run thanks to a home run by Jorge Luis Contreras.
In the Julio Antonio Mella Championship, Pinar del Rio and Las Tunas split the match. First, the Vegueros took a 10-9 victory in 12 innings, thanks to two home runs by William Saavedra. But in the second game, the Las Tunas champions rallied and took revenge 6-1, with a home run by Roberto Baldoquín.
Artemisa also scored a tie by defeating Mayabeque 4-3 in a pre-match game, but then lost 2-1 in the second, decided by a home run by Frank Alonso and a pitching performance by Luis Miguel Vázquez.
Guantanamo earned its second victory at the Cándido González Stadium by defeating Camagüey 8-2 despite a home run by Alexander Ayala.
Translated by Aliani Rojas Fernandez
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