Las Tunas knocked Pinar del Rio; Industriales and Raymond put the brakes on Las Avispas; Ciego de Ávila shut out Granma
- BaseballdeCuba
- Apr 26
- 5 min read
On a rivalry-filled afternoon, Industriales triumphed over Santiago de Cuba with a 7-2 victory, leveling the series at 3-3. Meanwhile, Las Tunas overwhelmed Pinar del Río 15-3, and Ciego de Ávila achieved a shutout with Ariel Zerquera once more shining as the standout player. Defensive mistakes and powerful rallies were decisive in these games, setting the stage for another round of clashes this Saturday in the Third Cuban Baseball Elite League.
Industriales 7, Santiago de Cuba 2
The Capital Blues capitalized on Santiago's defensive mistakes, gaining an early lead in the first inning and maintaining it for the entire game. The Lions managed to get their first two batters on base when Ariel Hechevarría received a walk and Yosvany Peñalver advanced to first base due to catcher Harold Vázquez's interference. Ángel Alfredo Hechavarría then hit a single to left, bringing in the first run of the afternoon. In the second inning, a throwing error to first base by pitcher Osvaldo Acuña (3-2) sparked a three-run rally.
Industriales quickly established a commanding 4-0 lead within just two innings. Right-handed pitcher Raymond Figueredo capitalized on this lead to craft his pitching strategy, delivering six consecutive innings without allowing a run. During this period, he only struck out one batter, but the Wasps hit into three double plays and failed to score any runs.
In the seventh inning, an error by second baseman Brandom Pérez made the situation more difficult for Raymond. He managed to strike out Eduardo García and Andy Rodríguez, but then loaded the bases by hitting Luis Orlando Veranes with a pitch. Right-hander Fernando Betanzos was the first reliever for the Leones, and he allowed Francisco "Paky" Martínez to hit a single that brought in two runs, narrowing the score for Santiago de Cuba to 4-2.
Facing a potential tie on the field and Yoelquis Guibert waiting in the on-deck circle, Jaison Martínez grew desperate and ultimately struck out while attempting to hit Betanzos' sliders.
With the Wasps trailing by just two runs, reliever Islay Sotolongo, who had kept the Leones at bay for 6 ⅔ innings, encountered difficulties in the seventh. Andrys Pérez then struck a decisive blow with a three-run home run, bringing the score to 7-2 in the bottom of the eighth.
Key Moment:
Bottom of the 2nd: Mistakes by Acuña and catcher Harold Vázquez resulted in two runs without hits, allowing Industriales to gain an early lead that turned out to be unbeatable.
MVP:
Raymond Figueredo with a dominant start of 6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 SO, 3 BB.
Andrys Pérez (IND) – 3 RBIs, hit a home run that brought in the winning run.
Turning Point:
Top of the 7th: With two outs, Santiago left two runners stranded on base, who could have potentially tied the score.
Top 5 Win Probability Added (WPA):
1. Andrys Pérez HR (B8, +18%)
2. Francisco Martínez RBI single (T7, +12%)
3. Ángel Hechavarría RBI single (B2, +10%)
4. Error by P Osvaldo Acuña (B2, +15% combined)
5. Roberto Álvarez scores on error (B2, +8%)
Box Score Highlights:
Hitting: Ángel Alfredo Hechavarría (3-4, 2 RBI), Andrys Pérez (1-3, HR, 3 RBI).
Defense: Santiago made 3 errors.
Pitching: Figueredo (IND) – 6 1/2 IP, 0 ER, 3 K.
Las Tunas 15, Pinar del Río 3
An overwhelming 8-run fifth inning overwhelmed Pinar del Río. Yudier Rondón (4 RBI) and Yosvany Alarcón (3B, 4 RBI) spearheaded the Las Tunas Leñadores offense. Although Pinar del Río initially led 1-0, Las Tunas quickly countered with 6 runs in the first two innings, five of which were credited to the defeated Mario Valle (3-3). In the fifth inning, they sent 13 batters to the plate, highlighted by a triple from Alarcón that extended the lead to 12-3, nearing a knockout.
Left-handed pitcher Eliander Bravo (3-0) secured his third victory in five starts by pitching five innings, conceding three runs, striking out four, and issuing two walks.
Key Moment:
Bottom of the 5th: The inning featured 8 runs, with five hits and seven consecutive batters reaching base.
MVP:
Yudier Rondon (LTU) – 3-4, 2B, 3 R, 4 RBI.
Turning Point:
Bottom of the 1st: Rondón evened the score with a double, initiating the offensive control, and then crossed the plate for the lead.
WPA Top 5:
1. Yosvany Alarcón 3B (B5, +20%)
2. Yudier Rondón 2-RBI single (B2, +15%)
3. Héctor Castillo 2-RBI single (B2, +12%)
4. Dainier Gálvez HR (T4, -5%)
5. Yudier Rondón RBI double (B1, +8%)
Box Score Highlights:
Hitting: Yosvany Alarcón (2-3, 3B, 4 RBI), Yuniesky Larduet (2-5, 2 R).
Defense: Pinar with 2 errors (2B Tailon Sánchez).
Pitching: Bravo (LTU) – 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 K; Valle (PRI) – 1 IP, 6 ER.
Ciego de Ávila 4, Granma 0
Ariel Zerquera delivered a 6 1/3 inning shutout, while Ciego de Ávila's offense took an early lead without needing an RBI. A wild pitch by Benítez allowed the first run in the opening inning, and the experienced pair of Leonelkis Escalante (2-4, RBI) and Robert Luis Delgado (1-4, RBI) increased the lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the third. Granma only managed six hits, all singles—with half coming from leadoff hitter Yulieski Remón—and failed to score any runs. They hit into double plays three times in crucial situations: twice against Zerquera in the second and third innings, and then in the seventh when Yankiel Mauris replaced Andy Cosme, with two men on base and one out.
Key Moment:
Bottom of the 1st: Benítez's errant pitch let the first run score without a hit. Granma failed to score throughout the game, making that run sufficient.
MVP:
Ariel Zerquera (CAV) – 6 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 2 K.
Turning Point:
Bottom of the 3rd: Escalante hit a double, increasing the score to 2-0, while Granma struggled in key moments.
Top 5 WPA:
1. Leonelkis Escalante RBI double (B3, +12%)
2. Robert Luis Delgado RBI single (B3, +10%)
3. Wild pitch (B1, +8%)
4. Rodolexis Moreno RBI single (B4, +5%)
Box Score Highlights:
Hitting: Leonelkis Escalante (2-4, 2B, RBI), Yulieski Remón (GRA, 3-4).
Defense: Granma made 3 errors (costing one run).
Pitching: Zerquera (CAV) – 6 1/3 IP, 0 ER; Benítez (GRA) – 6 1/3 IP, 3 ER.
Rankings of the Day
Top 10 WPA:
1. Yosvany Alarcón (LTU) – +20%
2. Andrys Pérez (IND) – +18%
3. Yudier Rondón (LTU) – +15%
4. Leonelkis Escalante (CAV) – +12%
5. Francisco Martínez (SCU) – +12%
Best Hitters:
1. Yudier Rondón (LTU) – 3-4, 4 RBI
2. Ángel Alfredo Hechavarría (IND) – 3-4, 2 RBI
3. Yulieski Remón (GRA) – 3-4
Top 3 Starters:
1. Ariel Zerquera (CAV) – 6 ⅓ IP, 0 ER
2. Eliander Bravo (LTU) – 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 K
3. Raymond Figueredo (IND) – 6 1/2 IP, 0 ER
Top 5 Relievers:
1. Yankiel Mauris (CAV) – 2.2 IP, 0 ER
2. Fernando Betanzo (IND) – 1.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 K
3. Keniel Ferraz (LTU) – 1 IP, 0 ER
Top 10 Defensive Players:
1. Eduardo García (SCU) – 11 putouts at 1B
2. Greyson Bergery (CAV) – 6 assists at SS
3. Roberto Álvarez (IND) – 4 putouts, 3 assists in his SS debut
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