III Elite League Finals, Game 1 Recap | The roar of the Tigers

The wind arrogantly swept across the left field of José Ramón Cepero, bringing with it the whisper of an unfinished tale. Ten thousand voices, hoarse from shouting "Ciego, Ciego!", understood that this was no ordinary game. It marked the beginning of a unique final, while also rekindling the sting of a fresh wound: during the 63rd national series, the Leñadores of Las Tunas had broken the hearts of the Tigers in a dramatic game 7.

Today, beneath a harsh sun and on a dry, creaking terrain reminiscent of old bones, the felines achieved a decisive 11-1 knockout victory over the Woodcutters in Game 1 of the Grand Final of the III Elite League of Cuban baseball.

Box score

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Ariel Zerquera beat the Woodcutters again and reached 9 wins in the year. (Photo by Jit)

First act: a mixture of sinister pitching

Ariel Zerquera stepped onto the mound like someone who had been anticipating this moment. Left-handed, with a steely gaze, his mechanics were honed through relentless perseverance under the blazing midday sun. His initial seven innings were a masterclass in control: seven strikeouts, three walks, and a no-hitter maintained until the sixth inning.

The Tunas' batters, who had been formidable against him during the National Series, turned into mere shadows. None could make solid contact with the ball. This was likely the only time Zerquera relied more on her fastball than her curveball, as he was precisely placing his pitches. Zerquera maneuvered in and out of the strike zone like a skilled swordsman. After his first 63 pitches, the batters had only managed a couple of insignificant fly balls to the outfield.

Seventeen outs. Six strikeouts, with some swings so desperate they seemed to stir the bold breeze. Zerquera operated with the precision of a watchmaker: in four of the first six innings, he retired the first two batters. It was as if he knew exactly what they were going to do, as I observed the inevitable struggle of the Las Tunas's batters.

The sole blemish occurred in the sixth inning when Tailon Sánchez, the Tigers shortstop, made an error that allowed Osvaldo Abreu to reach first base. Subsequently, Luis Vicente Mateo shattered the no-hitter with a single to center field, but by then it was too late. The Woodcutters were unable to respond. Zerquera merely smiled slightly as he slowly and thoughtfully returned to the dugout. He maintained control of the game, with his routine and concentration on the mound remaining constant. He occasionally adjusted his cap and continued to balance after each wind-up as if the outcome depended on the next pitch. His approach to pitching was a philosophy that persisted until the end. He dominated the strike zone from start to finish, achieving his second complete game in 13 starts, with a record of 9-3 and an ERA of 2.76.

Even the Las Tunas batters are probably still trying to figure out how to hit it.

Ronaldo Castillo hit tCiego's first of four home runs in Game 1 of the Elite League Grand Final against Las Tunas. (Photo by Jit)

One blow and another: the perfect storm

While Zerquera remained composed, the Tigers' batting was like an apocalypse. In the second inning, Robert Luis Delgado, a seasoned player who infused the team with his notable determination, hit a single to center field, bringing in two runs. This was just the beginning of his remarkable afternoon at the plate.

In the third inning, Ronaldo Castillo, who had previously sank the Industriales Team with a Grand Slam in the semifinal, hit a line drive to right field that disappeared into the Ciego de Ávila afternoon. Ciego de Ávila 3, Las Tunas 0. The stadium shook.

However, it was in the fourth inning that the Tigers made their move against Las Tunas. César García, the starting pitcher for Las Tunas, had allowed two back-to-back singles when Delgado came up to bat. Faced with a 2-1 count, the pitch was a curveball intended to land on the outside corner. Delgado didn't miss it: he launched a three-run homer that flew to the left like a kite. Ciego de Ávila now led 6-0. García left the mound, defeated not by a team, but by what seemed like a predetermined fate.

Then, in the fifth inning, the back-to-back hits arrived, sealing an emotional afternoon for the Tigers: Frederich Cepeda, a veteran of countless battles, hit his fourth home run of the year against Las Tunas. Dennis Laza, the next batter, followed suit. 8-0. The crowd erupted. "Ciego, Ciego!" the fans shouted from the stands, waving posters and pounding on the wall padding around both dugouts. The battle didn’t end there, but the 8-0 lead hinted at the conclusion.

The numbers of humiliation

Statistics tell their own history:

-Delgado: 4-for-4, homer, seven RBIs. An afternoon that remains in memory.

-From the 4th batter to 8th in the lineup: 10-for-16, three home runs, nine RBIs. It was a team execution.

-The Tigers, which in the regular season hit only 19 home runs, have already 10 against Las Tunas this year.

-The Woodcutters, meanwhile, just two homers in 326 plate appearances throughout the year -including regular season and playoff.

Then there was Zerquera, the architect: seven innings, one run, and seven strikeouts. The raw numbers fail to convey the brilliance of their performance, which effortlessly dismantled the toughest team to beat over the past five seasons.

Epilogue: what is coming

Tomorrow (Sunday) marks another chapter. Eliander Bravo, the left-hander from Las Tunas, will go up against José Isaías Grandales, the right-hander who has already bested Las Tunas twice this year with a 0.61 ERA over 14 ⅔ innings. Interestingly, the Tigers have not faced a left-hander in these playoffs. Meanwhile, the Woodcutters bear the burden of an offense that has scored just one run in the last 14 innings against Ciego de Ávila's pitching.

But that's for tomorrow. Today (Saturday), beneath a radiant sky, the Tigers rejoiced like children. Robert Luis Delgado was lifted onto shoulders. Zerquera was met with applause that echoed beyond the stadium. In the stands, both old and young fans murmured "Ciego, Ciego," reminiscent of when they were inspired by their 2010 three-time champion team.

Thus, on an afternoon when the wind favored them, the Tigers made their presence known. They did so not as newcomers, but as masters of a destiny that, for the first time in the Elite League, appears inscribed in golden letters.

Summary of the game

Final Score: Ciego de Ávila 11, Las Tunas 1/KO, 7-Innings.

Time: 2 hours, 6 minutes.

Attendance: 10,000, plus the ghosts of the past.

Score Summary:

• Bot 2nd Inning: Robert Luis Delgado singled with a line drive to center field. Dennis Laza scored. Frederich Cepeda scored. Las Tunas 0, Ciego de Ávila 2.

• Bot 3rd inning: Ronaldo Castillo hit a solo home run with a line drive to right field. Las Tunas 0, Ciego de Ávila 3.

• Bot 4th inning: Robert Luis Delgado hit a towering three-run homer to left field. Tailon Sánchez scored. Leonekis Escalante scored. Las Tunas 0, Ciego de Ávila 6.

• Bot 5th inning: Frederich Cepeda hit also a towering solo shot to left field. Las Tunas 0, Ciego de Ávila 7.

• Bot 5th inning: Dennis Laza hit a solo homer to center field. Las Tunas 0, Ciego de Ávila 8.

• Top 7th inning: Lázaro Ponce hit a line drive single to right field. Leonel Moas Jr. to Second. Yudier Rondón scored. Las Tunas 1, Ciego de Ávila 8.

• Bot 7th inning: Robert Luis Delgado singled to left field. Tailon Sánchez to Third. Leonekis Escalante scored. Frederich Cepeda scored. Las Tunas 1, Ciego de Ávila 10.

• Bot 7th inning: Rodolexis Moreno hit a groundout to the shortstop. Fernando de la Paz is out in forced play in second. Robert Luis Delgado to Third. Tailon Sánchez scored. Las Tunas 1, Ciego de Ávila 11.

The MVP

Ariel Zerquera pitched a no-hitter into the top of the sixth inning with two outs, but it was Robert Luis Delgado who shone offensively, driving in seven of the team's 11 runs. With two well-executed strokes, Delgado provided Zerquera with complete confidence and assurance.

What we learned

Engage in the game and persevere. The Tigers have exhibited this approach, displaying bravery and modesty on the baseball field. The seven-game series seems endless. Now, the Tigers are leading and aiming for the championship. I believe no one, apart from themselves, expected them to reach the Grand Final at this stage. Indeed, sometimes those who start last can end up first.

The key blow

Robert Luis Delgado exemplified what every manager hopes for: capitalizing on the opportunities presented by mistakes. Luis Vicente Mateo mishandled a high fly ball over second base, failing to communicate with second baseman Yudier Rondón, who also lost sight of the ball under the harsh sun. Las Tunas' manager, Abeisy Pantoja, accurately noted that "the mistakes are costing them runs." Wise words indeed. Statistics show that 85% of defensive errors have resulted in runs for Las Tunas in these playoffs. They need to find a solution.

Ultimately, with two outs, Delgado stepped up to the plate and hit a single that initiated the 2-0 lead for the Tigers in the bottom of the second inning. Two innings after that, he hit a three-run homer, dashing the Woodcutters' hopes.

The surprising statistic you should know

The Woodcutters have lost only 3.2% of the games in which they hit three hits or less. Three or less? Yes, it was weird. But the Ciego de Ávila pitchers have dominated the Woodcutter hitters, limiting them to only one run in the last 14 innings. It doesn't look so weird anymore!

Managers decisions

I am not the best ally of the sacrifice bunt, but the manager of the Tigers, Dany Miranda, has used it and worked on some occasions this year - do you also think that a little luck exists? Do not hesitate. Baseball has a little bit of everything.! Miranda does not discard the sacrifice bunt in his game manual. At certain times, it is reasonable:

1) Your offensive power isn't triggered by hitting home runs.

2) The team consists of a mix of young players and veterans. They frequently attempt to receive. Provide an opportunity for a clutch moment. The Tigers were the League leaders in Clutch. This is logical.

In the second inning, Miranda initiated a contentious sacrifice bunt with runners on First and Second, which Leonelkis Escalante executed flawlessly. The Tunas had kept a runner alive due to an error by Mateo. Tailon Sánchez hit a fly ball for the second out, significantly lowering the scoring chances. Baseball can be unpredictable. Ultimately, Miranda was rewarded once more: Delgado hit a single that drove in two runs.

The Tigers were not trailing throughout the entire game.

A story to follow for game 2

Will the Woodcutters' offensive against José Isaías Grandales provoke a response? Can the Tigers successfully hit against left-hander Eliander Bravo?

(Photos by JIT)