Las Tunas knocked out Granma; Vegueros and Tigres won in extra innings
- BaseballdeCuba
- May 1
- 2 min read
The Ciego de Ávila Tigers secured their 22nd victory, Las Tunas eliminated Granma, and Pinar del Río once more overcame the Wasps. Here's a summary of the initial games in this marathon round of doubleheaders.
Ciego de Ávila 9, Industriales 5 (extra inning)
The Lions leveled the score at 5-5 with a three-run surge in the bottom of the sixth inning, aided by a single from Roberto Álvarez and the team's latest recruit, Matanzas native Ariel Sánchez, who brought in two runs. Seven innings didn't suffice. The Tigers responded with a four-run rally in the top of the eighth against reliever Fernando Betanzos.
Fernando De La Paz drove the lead with a sacrifice fly, while Jorge Luis Contreras capped it off with a three-run homer. Industriales struggled to score against right-hander Yunier Batista, who pitched the last three innings without giving up a run. Left-hander Ariel Zerquera gave up five earned runs, causing his ERA to rise from 1.45 to 2.14.
Las Tunas 13, Granma 2
By the end of the fourth inning, the Alazanes remained hopeful for a win after leveling the score at 2-2 with a fielder's choice. However, the Leñadores launched two more wild rallies, ultimately defeating the Alazanes 13-2.
Las Tunas tallied four runs in the top of the fifth inning and added seven more in the seventh. Jeans Lucas Baldoquín hit a home run for the second consecutive game, driving in five runs against the Alazanes. Yordanis Alarcón also shone with a 4-for-3 performance, hitting two doubles and earning four RBIs. Rookie Luis Pérez came in as a pinch-hitter and hit the first home run of his career.
Right-hander Albert Valladares (2-2) delivered six innings, conceding five hits and two runs, with two strikeouts and only one walk. Unlike his previous start when he shut out the Ciego de Ávila Tigers last Thursday, Lismay Ferrales (2-2) was not as dominant this time.
Pinar del Río 8, Santiago de Cuba 6 (extra inning)
The Wasps overcame a 5-0 deficit, leveling the game with a three-run home run by Yoelquis Guibert in the bottom of the third, followed by two more runs in the fifth—the home run matched the Elite League single-season record. However, the Vegueros capitalized on every mistake by the Wasps, and a throwing error by pitcher Israel Sánchez made the top of the eighth more challenging. The Vegueros took an 8-5 lead, and just as it seemed Santiago might close the gap, the game concluded with an unexpected double play.
Francisco Martínez hit a ground ball to pitcher José Ángel García. Once "Paky" Martínez was out at first base, first baseman Frank Raúl González observed that the runner on second, Rolando Veranes, had strayed from the bases. González then ran towards Veranes, who was halfway to third, and tagged him out.
A further defeat for the Wasps might grant the Vegueros a decisive edge in the series, as they remain determined in their quest for a playoff spot.
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