Yudiel Rodríguez pitched seven scoreless innings of four hits and the Las Tunas Leñadores solved Santiago de Cuba Avispas starter Carlos Font, beating the winner of Game 1, 7-0, on Tuesday afternoon for a 2-1 lead in the quarterfinal series. BOX SCORE In a repeat of Sunday’s loss, Avispas batters were kept in check. Santiago de Cuba went 6-for-32 at the plate for the afternoon game, and the Leñadores have kept the Avispas without a run for 19 consecutive innings, dating back to the seventh inning of Game 1 of the series on January 26th this year. Game 4 is on Thursday afternoon (1 pm E.T.), when veteran righty Danny Betancourt and the Avispas will try to regain their footing following an off day and force a decisive Game 5. Right-hander Alejandro Meneses is scheduled to start for Las Tunas. Santiago’s starter Carlos Font pitched just two innings and allowed six runs on six hits, for the loss. Andrés de la Cruz hit an RBI single off reliever Wilber Reyna in the third inning and later in the fifth singled against Santiago’s third reliever Uber Luis Mejías, to help the 2019 Champions win for the second straight game and move within one victory of the semifinals. Carlos J. Viera and two relievers silenced the Avispas offense in Game 2 and the Leñadores struck early in Game 3, combining three consecutive singles and a costly error by left-fielder Ariel Benavides to take a 2-0 lead. Then first baseman Rafael Viñales singled to left field bringing home Danel Castro and putting Las Tunas 3-0 up after one inning. Santiago’s starter Carlos Font, who went seven innings in Game 1 of the series and got the win, it was obvious didn’t have his best stuff today. He got in trouble early and couldn’t locate his best pitch, the fastball, allowing four hits in a key first inning, and escaping more runs when Yordanis Alarcón grounded into a 5443 double play to end the inning. Two innings later and Font was out of the game. In the bottom of the third, Font issued back-to-back walks to Andrés Quiala and Danel Castro and allowed Yosvany Alarcón’s double to right field for a 4-0 lead. Moments later, when the right-hander walked Viñales to load the bases, Santiago’s manager Heriberto Rosales had already seen too much and pull Font out of the game. The starter threw 44 pitches, didn’t have a strikeout, walked three batters and, at the end of the game, was responsible of six of the seven Las Tunas’ runs. The game was practically decided. Yudiel Rodríguez and closer Yosbel Alarcón combined to shut the Avispas winning the always important Game 3. Rodríguez took revenge of his Game 1 defeat throwing 123 pitches and adding a W to his already Game 2 S. Part of the reason why Rodríguez was able to keep Avispas hitters off the bases was his ability to command the zone and effectively mix all his pitches, especially after an uncertain first inning when he walked two and allowed a single. Santiago de Cuba have now gone 19 straight innings without scoring a run. The Leñadores’ pitchers seem to have honed in on the holes in individual swings and exploited them to spectacular effect. Santiago Torres is 3-for-11 in the series. Yoelkis Guibert is 1-for-7. Ariel Benavides is 2-for-12, Ruden Sánchez 3-for-12, Yaicel Pérez 1-for-5, Manuel Pérez 1-for-8. Overall, the Avispas are in real trouble, just one defeat away from going home and collectively hitting just .247 in the series. For many, this series is all over. Hightlights National Series Quarter Finals Jan 26, Game 1: Ltu 4, Scu 7 Feb 28, Game 2: Ltu 3, Scu 0 Mar 2, Game 3: Scu 0, Ltu 7 Mar 4, Game 4 – 1 p.m: Probables, RHP Danny Betancourt (Scu) vs. RHP Alejandro Meneses (Ltu) Las Tunas leads the best-of-five series 2-1 (Top photo of Las Tunas: Leandro Pérez/Photo of Yudiel Rodríguez: Leandro Pérez)

Carlos Juan Viera knew Las Tunas couldn’t afford losing Game 2 against Santiago de Cuba on Sunday afternoon. The ace right-hander pitched 8 2/3 shutout innings and Denis Peña homered and drove in two runs, during a 3-0 victory over the Santiago de Cuba Avispas that tied the semifinal series at a game apiece. BOX SCORE “Is an unforgettable experience, tying the playoff serie against Santiago”, said Viera after the game. The right-hander, who had a 9-4 record and 3.14 ERA for Las Tunas during the regular season, and also pitched for Los Mochis of the Mexican Pacific Winter League this year, delivered for his team when they really needed it. Game 3 is Tuesday afternoon at Cándido González Stadium in Camagüey, a neutral location previously selected for the best-of-five series because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the East part of the country. Carlos Font is scheduled to start for Santiago de Cuba probably against Alejandro Meneses. Denis Peña helped the 31-year-old Viera when he connected a solo shot off Alberto Bicet in the seventh to give Las Tunas a 2-0 lead. In the ninth, Andrés de la Cruz doubled to right field and Peña laced a single to center field that made it 3-0. Las Tunas scored against Santiago’ starter Bicet in the second inning. An error allowed Yosvany Alarcón get on base to start the inning and a balk moved the runner to second. Yordanis Alarcٙón’ single to right sent Yosvany to third and a wild pitch gave Las Tunas an early 1-0 lead. It was the only run of the game until Peña’s homer in the seventh. To be honest, Viera and Alberto Bicet pitched a great game. Both right-handers were efficient as they engaged in a pitcher’s duel, Viera allowing four hits with six strikeouts, and none walks, and Bicet tossing seven innings of five hits, two runs – one earned – six strikeouts, and two walks. With his outing in Game 2 Viera, who had a 4.47 ERA in 11 1/3 innings in two previous postseasons, lowered his ERA to an excellent 2.70 and, most importantly, won his first career postseason game. Here are some interesting numbers, from our writer Yirsandy Rodríguez, regarding Viera’s Game 2 performance: 1: Number of hits allowed between the third and fourth time Viera faced Santiago’s lineup (Denis Alá’s double in the bottom of the eight). 3: Number of runners in scoring position. 5: Number of innings where he didn’t allow a hit: 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, and 9th. 6: Number of innings where he retired the first batter he faced. 9: Number of innings where he used less than 15 pitches! 95: His fastest pitch of the game. In the ninth, one out away from his first career postseason shutout and after 99 pitches, Las Tunas’ manager Pablo Civil pulled his starter out of the game. The reason behind was to prevent Viera to get to 100 pitches and, by the Cuban postseason rules for pitchers, then losing the possibility of using him in Game 4. Yoalkis Cruz was called to get one out but the veteran righty allowed a single and two wild pitches, and was immediately replaced. Left-hander Yudiel Rodríguez took the mound and close the game striking out Ariel Benavides for his second career postseason save. Highlights National Series Quarter Finals Jan 26, Game 1: Ltu 4, Scu 7 Feb 28, Game 2: Ltu 3, Scu 0 Mar 2, Game 3 – 1 p.m: Probables, RHP Carlos Font (Scu) vs. RHP Alejandro Meneses (Ltu) The best-of-five series is tied 1-1 (Top photo of Carlos Juan Viera: Leandro Pérez/Photo of Denis Peña scoring after his solo homer: Leandro Pérez)

Leandro Martínez had a good start and César García an even better relief, as the Granma Alazanes beat the Pinar del Río Vegueros 13-3 by the mercy rule Saturday afternoon, advancing to the Cuban Final for the third time in the last five years. BOX SCORE Guillermo García and Alexquemer Sánchez each homer for Granma, and Raico Santos had three RBIs to support starter Leandro Martínez in Game 6 of the semifinals. Pinar del Río entered the series against Granma with season’s best pitching ERA but fell flat with a sloppy performance. Before Game 6 the Vegueros’ pitchers were showing a 7.68 ERA with a 2.29 WHIP, 22 strikeouts and alarming 39 walks. It didn’t get any better. In Game 6 starter Vladimir Baños – who completed five good innings in Game 2 – lasted only 1 2/3 innings. He threw 42 pitches and left the mound with four runs allowed - three earned – on five hits. Five Pinar’ relievers combined for six innings of nine earned runs, four walks, and two batters hit. On the other hand, Granma’ starter Leandro Martínez tossed 5 2/3 innings before César García worked almost perfect during 2 1/3 hitless innings. Pinar was able to get to Leandro early in the game, scoring two in the first inning when the starter walked two, hit one batter, allowed one hit and two steals, before leaving the bases loaded when veteran outfielder Reinier León ended the inning with a grounder to second. In the fourth Alexquemer Sánchez hit a solo homer off Yoandry Cruz to give Granma a 5-2 lead. It was Sánchez first homer in postseasons. Leandro threw 20 pitches in the first inning, but from that point forward the left-handed was dominant against an unproductive Pinar’s lineup. Pinar’s batters went 2-for-15 against the starter until Pedro L. Rodríguez’ double to center field in the top of the sixth. Luis P. Acosta followed with a single and León doubled to left field to make it competitive, 5-3, sending Leandro back to the dugout. In his second start of the series Leandro tossed 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits, three strikeouts and two walks. The 41-year-old Martínez proved to be an excellent choice as the second starter of the series for Granma. Leandro started two games, threw 11 2/3 innings with a 3.85 ERA, six strikeouts, five walks and a .256 OBA. The sixth was the last chance Pinar had to comeback in Game 6 and overall, in the series. Reliever César García, who won Game 3 with six excellent innings of one run, it was even better in Game 6, completing 2 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts and a walk. That sealed a 13-3 mercy rule score, with the Alazanes scoring eight runs from the sixth inning on. The bottom of the sixth, where Granma scored five decisive runs, was disastrous for Pinar’s relievers who combined for three walks and two batters hit in the inning. Guillermo García, an excellent replacement for injured – COVID-19 - Guillermo Avilés, in the bottom of the seventh hit his second homer of the series, a two-run shot off Reilandy González, giving Granma a 12-3 lead. According to our writer Yirsandy Rodríguez, García went 0-for-10 against Pinar’s pitchers during the regular season. However, the young infielder made his adjustments before the semifinals and had a sensational series. García collected 10 RBIs, with three doubles, and two homers against Pinar’s pitchers, and was simply clutch bringing home 50% of the runners he found in scoring position. With the win, Granma and manager Carlos Martí advanced to their third Cuban Finals of the last five years. Granma has a 2-0 record in finals, winning back-to-back National Series titles in 2017 and 2018. Granma – and because of the COVID-19 pandemic - must now wait for the finish of the Las Tunas-Santiago de Cuba best-of-five quarterfinal series, and then the winner must play the best-of-seven semifinal series against Matanzas. Highlights National Series Semifinals Feb 20, Game 1: Pri 2, Grm 9 Feb 21, Game 2: Pri 13, Grm 3 (Mercy Rule - 8 innings) Feb 23, Game 3: Grm 12, Pri 1 (Mercy Rule - 7 innings) Feb 24, Game 4: Grm 3, Pri 5 Feb 25, Game 5: Grm 12, Pri 4 Feb 27, Game 6: Pri 3, Grm 13 (Mercy Rule - 8 innings) Granma won the best-of-seven series 4-2 (Top photo of Team Granma: Oscar Alfonso Sosa, photo of Leandro Martínez leaving the mound in the sixth: Oscar Alfonso Sosa)

The Alazanes came away with an easy 12-4 win in Game 5 of the Cuban Semifinals, taking a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. They are now one win away from their first Cuban Finals since 2018, when they beat Las Tunas 4-3 to win a second National Series title. In Game 1 of the series Lázaro Blanco was efficient, helping the Alazanes to win the always important first game of the series. In that game, Blanco threw eight innings allowing only two runs in seven hits while struck out six. BOX SCORE This time around, Blanco worked seven scoreless innings, allowing only four hits and a walk. He struck out three. In four starts this 2021 postseason, Blanco has a 0.93 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 21 strikeouts against six walks in 29 1/3 innings with a 4-0 record. Keep in mind, his first start gave the Alazanes a 1-0 lead while this one propelled them to a 3-2 lead and within one game of the Finals. Always clutch. And while Blanco was doing his thing, Pinar starter Erlis Casanova, looked like more of the same this postseason. After retiring the first two innings, including an 1-2-3 second inning, Granma got to him in the third. With one out Casanova walked Roel Santos and back-to back singles by Osvaldo Abreu and Raico Santos put the Alazanes on the board. An inning later it will be enough for the veteran right-hander…and also for Pinar in Game 5. Guille García singled to left to start the inning, Yulián Milán followed with single to right field while Alexquemer Sánchez’ grounder to short moved both runners to scoring position. Roel Santos was intentionally walked and Osvaldo Abreu singled to left field for a 2-0 lead. Then Raico Santos would collect two more RBIs with single to center knocking Casanova out of the game. The final line this time for Casanova: 3 1/3, 8 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 1 K Right-hander Reilandy González replaced Casanova and couldn’t even get an out. González walked Carlos Benítez and hit catcher Iván Prieto for a 5-0 lead. Moments later, González was out of the game and the new pitcher, righty Isbel Hernández, would allow Miguel González fielder’s choice that sent Santos home and left the bases loaded. Guille García followed with a two-run double to right-field giving the Alazanes an 8-0 lead, while Milán was retired to end the inning. Granma scored two more runs in the eight and the ninth innings, while after Blanco was done for the day Pinar would score four runs in the bottom of the eight against Kelbis Rodríguez. Carlos Santana replaced Rodríguez and tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Friday is a day off from game play, and Game 6 then takes place Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. (ET). The pitching matchup is a Game 2 rematch with Vladimir Baños (9-6, 3.93 regular season; 1-0, 4.50 postseason) vs. Leandro Martínez (6-7, 3.98; 0-1, 4.17). Highlights National Series Semifinals Feb 20, Game 1: Pri 2, Grm 9 Feb 21, Game 2: Pri 13, Grm 3 (Mercy Rule - 8 innings) Feb 23, Game 3: Grm 12, Pri 1 (Mercy Rule - 7 innings) Feb 24, Game 4: Grm 3, Pri 5 Feb 25, Game 5: Grm 12, Pri 4 Feb 27, Game 6 - 1 p.m.: Probables, Vladimir Baños (1-0-4.50), Pri vs. Leandro Martínez (0-1-4.17), Grm Granma leads the best-of-seven series 3-2 (Top photo of Lázaro Blanco: Boris Luis Cabrera)

There were any number of variables that went into the Vegueros’ 5-3 win over Granma on Wednesday in Game 4 of the National Series Cuban Semifinals. But the most significant might have been Yosvany Torres giving the team five important innings, and Yoandy Cruz four scoreless innings of relief. Yes, we can also mention Juan C. Arencibia two-run single in the bottom of the third to tie the game at 2, but without its most important tool: pitching, there was minimum chance of victory for a team that couldn’t afford to lose. BOX SCORE In his first outing of the 2021 season, Yosvany Torres went five innings – couldn’t get an out in the sixth - and, even when he allowed 11 hits, Granma scored only three runs against him giving Pinar a chance to comeback in the game. Guillermo García two-run homer in the top of the second inning worried Pinar’s fans, but the team responded an inning later when, with two runners in scoring position, Arencibia singled to center field off Granma starter Joel Mojena driving home both. New game. The Alazanes scored their third and final run in the top of the sixth off of a Roel Santos single with bases loaded. Santos RBI single was against reliever Yoandy Cruz, this would be the only hit that would allow the right-hander in the game. Cruz ended the threat striking out Osvaldo Abreu and retiring Raico Santos in a grounder to second. Granma starter Joel Mojena was effective during 5 1/3 innings, allowing only four hits and striking out two. In the sixth with one out, the right-hander got in trouble hitting William Saavedra and allowing Pedro L. Rodríguez double to right filed that moved Saavedra to third base. Mojena then was switched out for Juan D. Pérez who intentionally walked Yaser J. González to load the bases. It was this moment that changed the course of Game 4. Facing Luis P. Acosta, reliever Pérez tried to pick up the runner on first base and ended up making a wild throw to the base. The ball went near the right field and the runners on third and second ended up scoring to give Pinar a surprising 4-3 lead. Few moments later Acosta’ grounder to second gave Pinar its final run of the game. Granma never recovered; against Cruz they couldn’t do anything in the rest of the game. Even when Cruz put two runners on base in the last three innings, he faced the minimum and didn’t allow a single during those late innings. Overall, the veteran righty tossed 4 innings of one hit, struck out three and walked one for his first win of the postseason. Granma and Pinar del Río will face off tomorrow at 1 pm (ET) in Game 5 of the series. Erlis Casanova will be on the mound for Pinar del Río, and he will have to have a better showing than he did in Game 1 to give the Vegueros a chance to take a 3-2 lead in the series. The Alazanes will have ace Lázaro Blanco, who picked up the win in Game 1 with an exceptional eight innings performance. Highlights National Series Semifinals Feb 20, Game 1: Pri 2, Grm 9 Feb 21, Game 2: Pri 13, Grm 3 (Mercy Rule - 8 innings) Feb 23, Game 3: Grm 12, Pri 1 (Mercy Rule - 7 innings) Feb 24, Game 4: Grm 3, Pri 5 Feb 25, Game 5 - 1 p.m.: Probables, Lázaro Blanco, Grm vs. Erlis Casanova, Pri The best-of-seven series is tied 2-2 (Top photo of Yoandy Cruz: GameTime Sport)

The way César García had pitched this 2021 postseason the Granma’s right-hander didn’t need much run support to pull out a win. The Granma Alazanes made sure Tuesday afternoon he had more than enough for an important Game 3 victory in the 2021 National Series Cuban Semifinals (NSCS). The Alazanes scored six runs before the third inning ended, and García shut down the Pinar del Río Vegueros over six innings for his second 2021 postseason win in a 12-1 rout by the mercy rule. BOX SCORE The Alazanes now lead the series 2-1 with Game 4 set for today at 1 pm (ET). Granma has Lázaro Blanco ready to go but they will rest him one more day and give the ball instead to righty Joel Mojena. For Pinar, veteran right-hander - and usually great postseason pitcher - Yosvany Torres is getting the start, but all the bullpen arms lined up to go behind him. The offensive explosion came two days after the Vegueros beat Granma by the mercy rule, 13-3, in Game 2. García gave up one run on six hits, struck out one and walked two. The 29-year-old righty improved to 9-4 this season – including regular season. García has become one of Granma' secret weapons this postseason. In two playoff games this year - agianst Industriales and now Pinar - the right-hander has thrown 13 innings allowing just one earned run. Granma shortstop Yulián Matos erased his bad defensive performance in Game 2, where he made a costly error in the seventh inning when Pinar took the lead, and went 3-for-4 with a double and one RBI. There were some movements in Granma’s lineup for Game 3. Carlos Benítez continued in the cleanup spot but struggling catcher Iván Prieto batted behind him this time. Because of his great defense skills Miguel A. González was inserted in the lineup and in charge of the second base, while Darién García – batting only .167 this postseason – was sent to the bench. First baseman Guillermo García, who was 0-for-6 in Games 1 and 2 of the semifinals, was also moved down to the seventh spot. The changes worked. Prieto had two hits and two RBIs in Game 3, while Miguel A. González and Guillermo García combined for three hits, with a double, and 3 RBIs. The Vegueros started Yaifredo Domínguez, and the right-hander lasted 2 1/3 innings, giving up four runs and five hits. Promising lefty Dariel Fernández came to his rescue but couldn’t get an out while Pinar’s bullpen struggled all afternoon, allowing six more runs. Only Branlis Rodríguez got Granma’s bats under control, pitching the last two innings and allowing just one hit. After the third inning Granma kept adding to the 6-0 lead against the Vegueros bullpen, scoring at least a run in three of the last four innings. For Pinar shortstop Juan Carlos Arencibia continued his great postseason and had half of Pinar’s six hits. For Granma Juan Danilo Pérez threw a scoreless seventh inning and struck out one. Following the departure of Pinar’ super stars relievers, closer Raidel Martínez and Liván Moinelo – both joined their NPB teams - and just before Game 3, it was announced that Pinar’s main reliever, Frank L. Medina, had a season ending surgery. With Game 4 in the horizon and after the horrific Game 3, Pinar’s big dilemma for the rest of the series is to find relievers that can contain Granma’s bats. Highlights National Series Semifinals Feb 20, Game 1: Pri 2, Grm 9 Feb 21, Game 2: Pri 13, Grm 3 (Mercy Rule - 8 innings) Feb 23, Game 3: Grm 12, Pri 1 (Mercy Rule - 7 innings) Feb 24, Game 4 - 1 p.m.: Probables, Lázaro Blanco/Joel Mojena, Grm vs. Erlis Casanova, Pri Granma leads the best-of-seven series 2-1 (Top photo of Game 3: Guillermo Rodríguez)

The Alazanes had Vegueros exactly where they wanted them Sunday afternoon – with the series 1-0 on Granma's favor and winning Game 2 against one of their aces, Vladimir Baños. In a call that may haunt Granma for the rest of the National Series Cuban Semifinals – NSCS -, manager Carlos Martí pulled another dominating pitcher from the mound – but unlike Game 1 – that decision ended with an embarrassing loss. BOX SCORE Pinar del Río scored eleven runs in the last two innings of Game 2 – 7th and 8th innings – and its bullpen exceled, beating Granma 13-3 by the mercy rule Sunday afternoon to tie the NSCS at one game apiece. The winning runs came in an interminable seventh inning where veteran starter Leandro Martínez was removed after walking leadoff hitter Julio Y. González with his 88 pitch of the game. Reliever Kelvis Rodríguez struck out Luis P. Acosta for the first out of the inning, but Granma’ shortstop Yulián Milián followed with a costly error leaving two runners on. Rodríguez retired Renier León in fly out to right field in what it was supposed to be the last out of the inning, but then allowed Juan C. Arencibia’s game-tying RBI single to right field, scoring González to tie the game at 3. From this moment everything changed for Granma. There were nine hitters in the inning, three pitcher substitutions, five runs, and a key two-run single by Lázaro E. Blanco that gave Pinar a 5-3 lead. Granma got on the board first with a solo shot by Roel Santos off starter Vladimir Baños in the bottom of the first inning, but that lead would not last long. After three scoreless innings, Leandro Martínez struggled with his command in the top of the fourth inning walking two and allowing Luis P. Acosta two-run double to right field that put Pinar on top 2-1. Pinar starter Vladimir Baños tossed 5 innings, walked a career-high eight – including three intentional walks to Carlos Benítez - and struck out three. The right-hander threw 88 pitches and, even when he had runners on in all innings but the second, he was able to get out of trouble using his curveball and changeup efficiently, especially the three times he faced Granma’s catcher Iván Prieto. In the first inning and after Roel Santos’ homer, Baños allowed Raico Santos double to center field and then intentionally walked Benítez for the first time. With two runners on and already losing 1-0, Baños did not panic and forced Prieto to ground into a 6443 double-play. Two innings later, Baños struggled with his command and walked three batters – including his second intentional walk to Benítez - to load the bases with two outs, only to retire Prieto in a grounder to second to end the inning. In the fifth, Baños walked Raico Santos and when Santos stole second, the veteran right-hander went back to the tactic used in previous innings, Benítez was intentionally walked for the third time in the game and then Baños induced a 4663 double-play grounder against Prieto to get out of the inning. After Baños left the mound reliever Frank Luis Medina had the “leading role” pitching 2 1/3 innings of none hits, three strikeouts and two walks. Closer Isbel Hernández got one out in the eighth. Pinar’s three relievers – Reilandy González got one out in the sixth and allowed two runs - combined for 3 innings of two-hits, two runs, three strikeouts and two walks. Going into this best-of-seven series and even after losing its two super starts relievers - Liván Moinelo and Raidel Martínez - the Vegueros were considered the better team in the bullpen. This was demonstrated in Game 2. Granma’s bullpen went off the rails allowing 10 runs – seven earned - over two innings, including six in the top of the eighth inning that triggered the mercy rule score. Frank Luis Medina (4-7) picked up the win for Pinar, while Kelbis Rodríguez (3-2) was charged with the loss allowing three decisive runs on one hit and a walk in 2/3 innings. Granma starter Leandro Martínez tossed six innings of three runs – two earned – on five hits and three walks, he struck out three and had no decision. Game 3 is Tuesday afternoon at José A. Huelga Stadium. Yosvany Torres or Yaifredo Domínguez starts for the Vegueros against César García. Highlights National Series Semifinals Feb 20, Game 1: Pri 2, Grm 9 Feb 21, Game 2: Pri 13, Grm 3 (Mercy Rule - 8 innings) Feb 23, Game 3 - 1 p.m.: Probables, César García, Grm vs. Yosvany Torres/Yaifredo Domínguez, Pri The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1 (Top photo of Pinar del Río: GameTime Sport, photo of Frank L. Medina: GameTime Sport)

Roel Santos y Osvaldo Abreu hit back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the fourth inning and Lázaro Blanco silenced Pinar’s bats, giving the Granma Alazanes a 9-2 win over the Vegueros in Game 1 of the 2021 Cuban Postseason Semifinals on Saturday afternoon. Santos and Abreu connected their doubles off starter Erlis Casanova, giving the Alazanes a 4-2 lead and the team never looked back. BOX SCORE Blanco, Granma’s ace, pitched eight innings before manager Carlos Martí turned things over closer Carlos Santana, who threw a scoreless ninth inning to secure victory. Santana allowed one hit and walked one batter with one out, but ended the game retiring the next two batters. Pinar slugger Yaser J. González struck out one time and was caught stealing another, while William Saavedra hit his 22nd home run in Cuban postseasons as the only RBI Pinar’s batters had in the game. After getting their first semifinals win the Alazanes will try to take a 2-0 lead today with veteran lefthander Leandro Martínez facing Pinar’s righthander Vladimir Baños. Granma’ starter Lázaro Blanco was solid again. The right-hander has allowed three runs in 22 1/3 innings this Postseason and after an uncertain start, allowing two runs in the first three innings, he kept the Vegueros scoreless for five innings. Pinar had some chances, scoring in the first and third innings – Saavedra’s homer – and putting seven runners on in the first five innings. But the Vegueros failed to come up with a timely hit and lost for the first time in the postseason. Blanco retired 11 of the last 12 batters and struck out four of the last six he faced, before exiting after eight innings in a 108-pitch outing. He walked one and struck out six extending his strikeouts to 18 in 22 1/3 in the postseason. Casanova carried a one-hit shutout into the fourth before walking Alexquemer Sánchez with two outs to load the bases. Santos was in an 0-1 count before the centerfielder drove his two-run double to left field to tie the score at 2-2. Abreu then followed with a two-run double to right field giving Granma a 4-2 lead. An inning later Casanova allowed Carlos Benítez double to start the inning and he was immediately replaced. The righthander has allowed 10 runs in 8 1/3 innings this postseason. After walking two, reliever Yoandy Cruz ended the threat by striking out Iván Prieto and retiring David García in fly out to left field. However, Cruz was on shaky ground again in the sixth, allowing two singles and two doubles with Granma taking a 6-2 lead. Frank Abel Álvarez came in with one out and one runner on and got the last two outs of the inning. Pinar’s bullpen problems continue in the eighth, when Álvarez walked leadoff man Osvaldo Abreu to start. Raico Santos hit a double to left field to move Abreu to third and Carlos Benítez was intentionally walked to load the bases. Álvarez walked Prieto to make it 7-2 and manager Alfonso Urquiola sent up righty Andrés Castro, who induced a 3223 double play but allowed Miguel Pita single to center for the final two runs of the game. Hightlights National Series Semifinals Feb 20, Game 1: Pri 2, Grm 9 Feb 21, Game 2 - 1 p.m.: Probables, Vladimir Baños, Pri vs. Leandro Martínez, Grm Granma leads the best-of-seven series 1-0 (Top photo of Lázaro Blanco: Guillermo Rodríguez)

The Cocodrilos proved to be too good for a promissory but still inexperienced Elefantes team, winning 11-2 Game 3 of the Cuban National Series Quarterfinals to complete a sweep and advance undefeated to this postseason Semifinals. Next stop for the Cocodrilos is the winner of the Santiago de Cuba-Las Tunas series, still pending completion because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. BOX SCORE In the series, Matanzas outscored Cienfuegos 31-12, winning Game 1, 9-6 on Friday, and then 11-4 Game 2 on Sunday. Matanzas extended its postseason winning streak to four games and now the team has won 6 of their last 7 postseason games, dating back to Game 3 of the 2020 Cuban Finals against Camagüey. During the series, the Cocodrilos had an offensive that produced 54 runs with 33 hits, including seven doubles and seven home runs. They kept coming at an inexperienced Cienfuegos pitching that saw this Tuesday starter Adrián Bueno unable to complete two innings. Matanzas pounded 10 hits in Game 3, with Ariel Sánchez and Jefferson Delgado adding three hits each. Precisely Delgado broke the game open in the second inning, with a three-run homer off Bueno giving Matanzas a 6-0 lead. It was Delgado’s fifth RBI of the game, after a two-run double in the first inning that put Matanzas up 2-0. Delgado gave the Cocodrilos one more run on his second double of the game in the eight inning. The Matanzas third baseman was also walked twice, having a perfect afternoon going 3-for-3 with three extra bases and getting on base five times. Whatever the Cocodrilos plan was with starter Renner Rivero – who won 10 games during the regular season – did not last, when Rivero walked two batters to start the second inning and was quickly removed. Veteran Joel Suárez entered the game and was up to the task, completing seven innings of two runs and three hits that included Yusniel Ibáñez two-run homer in the third inning, while striking out three and walking two for the victory. With the win, Suárez improved his postseason record to 4-7 with a 4.22 ERA. Closer David Mena pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts to end the game. After starter Bueno left the game, Cienfuegos’ best reliever Carlos Damián Ramírez – 32 reliefs, 6-1 record, and 12 saves during the regular season - took the mound, and the righthander silenced Matanzas bats for three innings until the sixth, an inning when he got into a lot of trouble. In that inning, Ramírez loaded the bases - Aníbal Medina doubled to left, Ariel Sánchez singled to right, and Delgado was intentionally walked – only to face struggling Yadir Drake – was 1-for-11 in the series – and the player of the Algodoneros de Guasave in the Mexican Pacific Winter League, hit a Grand Slam to center field to give Matanzas a solid 10-2 lead. It was Drake’s first Grand Slam in Cuban National Series. The Elefantes used two more pitchers with Alex Daniel Pérez allowing Matanzas’ last run in the eight when Delgado doubled for his sixth RBI of the game. At the end, the Cocodrilos were simply too good in the series and they remain the team to beat this postseason. Even when we predicted this outcome, if you still have any doubt of how good this team is, just think of it this way: the Cocodrilos are undefeated this postseason, having allowed 12 runs but only five earned in 27 innings. They also scored 31 runs in the series and had 14 extra bases, and, according to our writer Yirsandy Rodríguez, Matanzas’ hitters had a .430 OBP on 129 PA during the series, and 62% of the batters that got on base ended up scoring. Highlights National Series Quarterfinals Feb 12, Game 1: Cfg 6, Mtz 9 Feb 14, Game 2: Cfg 4, Mtz 11 Feb 16, Game 3: Mtz 11, Cfg 2 Matanzas won the series 3-0 (Top photo of Jefferson Delgado: Oscar Alfonso/Photo of Joel Suárez: Oscar Alfonso/Photo of team Matanzas: Guillermo Rodríguez)

Erisbel Arruebarrena hit two home runs, Camero homered and had three RBIs, as the Matanzas Cocodrilos cruised past the Cienfuegos Elefantes 11-4 on Sunday afternoon at José A. Huelga Stadium in Sancti Spíritus. BOX SCORE Arruebarrena two home runs follows Friday’s game in which he had another homer and three RBIs. With the win, Matanzas is on the verge of advancing to the Cuban Play Offs semifinals, to continue its title defense against the winner of the Santiago de Cuba-Las Tunas’ series. And in Game 2 the Cocodrilos got to Cienfuegos pitcher Abel Campos early in the game. In the first inning a walk to Ariel Sánchez, a single by Jefferson Delgado, and Yadir Drake’ sacrifice fly to right field gave Matanzas a 1-0 lead. However, Cienfuegos’ hitters wanted to change the story of the series and they were aggressive against the – surprisingly - Matanzas’ starter, Noelvis Entenza. In the second inning, a walk, an error, a fielder’s choice, and a two-run single by César Prieto gave Cienfuegos an early 3-1 lead. Cienfuegos had a chance to get Entenza out of the game in the inning, but the veteran righthander retired Pavel Quesada in fly to center field with the bases loaded to end the inning. The lead did not last long. In the bottom of the second inning, Roberto Álvarez doubled to center and then scored on a single by Aníbal Medina to cut Cienfuegos lead 3-2. The Cocodrilos would break the game open in the third inning when Javier Camero would hit a key three-run home run to left field to give Matanzas a 5-3 lead and chase Abel Campos from the game. Campos completed two 2/3 innings giving up five runs on six hits and was charged with the loss. The Cocodrilos would add to their lead against reliever Hermes González when Aníbal Medina hit a two-run homer to left field to put Matanzas up 7-3. Matanzas would add two runs in the fifth before Erisbel Arruebarrena would hit mammoth homers to center field in the sixth and eight innings giving the Cocodrilos an 11-4 lead. Noelvis Entenza was not sharp during his first postseason start and was lucky Cienfuegos’ hitters did not get to him. He completed five 1/3 innings of four runs – three earned - on four hits, despite his seven walks. Lefthander Naykel Cruz, in relief of Entenza, cruised through the last three 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and one walk with three strikeouts for his first career postseason save. The Cocodrilos have won 5 of their last 6 postseason games, dating to Game 3 of the 2020 finals against Camagüey. With a 2-0 lead in the quarterfinals, Game 3 is Tuesday. The Elefantes need a win to avoid an 0-3 sweep and extend the series at least one more game. Highlights National Series Quarterfinals Feb 12, Game 1: Cfg 6, Mtz 9 Feb 14, Game 2: Cfg 4, Mtz 11 Feb 16, Game 3 - 1 p.m.: Probables, Adrián Bueno, Cfg (6-8-6.51) vs. Renner Rivero, Mtz (10-5-3.47) Matanzas leads the best-of-five series 2-0 (Top photo of Javier Camero: Boris Luis Cabrera/Photo of Noelvis Entenza: ACN)

The Matanzas Cocodrilos opened up their Play Off Quarterfinals with a 9-6 win over the Cienfuegos Elefantes, Friday, at an empty José A. Huelga Stadium in Sancti Spíritus. After a 16-day delay, Matanzas’s ace, Yoanni Yera, made his debut on the mound this postseason, and pitched seven innings to complete Matanzas’ first win of the best-of-five quarterfinals series against Cienfuegos. BOX SCORE Yera struck out eight and walked one allowing six runs - two earned - to get the win. The only blemish being three defensive errors around second base – shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena (2) and second baseman Aníbal Medina -, that allowed Cienfuegos to score four runs and take a 5-0 lead until the fourth inning. Juan M. Vázquez singled with two on in the bottom of the fourth to cut the lead at 5-2, while Yusniel Ibáñez’ solo shot off Yera in the top half of the fifth gave Cienfuegos a 6-2 lead. In the bottom of the fifth Matanzas put a comeback. Back-to-back doubles of Ariel Sánchez and Jefferson Delgado made it 6-3 and sent Cienfuegos’ starter Yasmany Insúa back to the dogout, then Arruebarrena followed with a key three-run homer to left field off reliever Carlos Ramírez to tie the score at 6-6. An inning later a costly error by first baseman Daniel Pérez gave Matanzas a 7-6 lead, while the defending champion scored two more runs in the rest of the game for the final 9-6 score. When Yera departed, veteran righthander Noelvis Entenza took the mound pitching two scoreless innings preserving the Cocodrilos’ 9-6 win over the Elefantes. Entenza, who pitched for Aragüa in the Venezuelan Winter League this year, allowed one hit, walked one and had a strikeout in his first appearance this postseason. He was credited with the save. Despite only two hits allowed, reliever Ramírez took the loss after giving up five runs – three earned – and five walks. For Matanzas, Arruebarrena and Vázquez drove in three runs while Yariel Duque went 3-for-3 with two runs. Luis Vicente Mateo had an impressive start of postseason for Cienfuegos, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs. Mateo also looked brilliant defensively. Cienfuegos’ starter Yasmany Insúa was dominant over four innings, and many considered was prematurely pull out of the game in the bottom of the fifth, with one out, and after allowing back-to-back doubles. The Elefantes and Cocodrilos will play Game 2 on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. Abel Campos should take the mound for Cienfuegos while Renner Rivero should do it for Matanzas. Highlights National Series Quarterfinals Feb 12, Game 1: Cfg 6, Mtz 9 Feb 14, Game 2 - 1 p.m.: Probables, Abel Campos, Cfg (6-4-4.80) vs. Renner Rivero, Mtz (10-5-3.47) Matanzas leads the best-of-five series 1-0 (Top photo of Yoanni Yera: Oscar Alfonso)

Granma beat all odds, erased a negative image of nine consecutive losses against Industriales, and ended two years of postseason futility. Iván Prieto go-ahead double in the third inning, excellent pitching of Lázaro Blanco, and repeated Industriales’s baserunning mistakes, helped Granma to win a decisive Game 5, 2-1, of the Cuban Quarterfinals on Wednesday afternoon, becoming the second team to advance to the Semifinals of the 2021 Cuban Postseason. Led by ace Lázaro Blanco, the Alazanes first ended a string of nine consecutive games losing against Industriales in postseasons, and Blanco, once again, helped them to win their first postseason series against the Leones. BOX SCORE With the win, Granma reached the semifinals for the first time since 2017, when they won their second Cuban championship. Granma will face the Pinar del Río Vegueros in the best-of-seven semifinals series. Granma will be the first seed team heading to the semifinals. The Game In a tense game - the score tells you everything - Blanco threw seven innings of one run with six strikeouts and two walks. He sat in the low-90s with his heater and completed his job in 111 pitches. It appeared that manager Carlos Martí might leave in Blanco in the eighth – Blanco took the mound - but in the end the veteran righthander signaled Martí and the manager opted instead for Kelvis Rodríguez. Overall, Blanco had a second outstanding outing - won Game 2 -, and he is one of the reasons why we could easily see Granma in the finals. On the opposite side, starter Maykel Taylor did not last long. The righthander left the mound after walking the first to batters he faced. Manager Guillermo Carmona went out and called Pavel Hernández, and Hernández, after allowing Carlos Benítez' single to tie the score at 1-1, traded zeros with Blanco for most of his outing. Hernández went 6 1/3 innings, struck out five batters, walked two, and allowed the decisive run on five hits and 108 pitches. Since the third inning, when Carlos Benítez and Iván Prieto doubled to give Granma the 2-1 lead, Hernández retired 12 of the last 14 batters he faced, allowing one hit and giving up a walk. He exited in the seventh, after hitting Osvaldo Abreu, but if for something Pavel Hernández will be remembered this postseason, it will be for the two strikeouts given to Alfredo Despaigne in the first and third innings, and, in general, for its calm and maturity on the mound today. In Game 5 Industriales’ base running will also be remembered. Losing by the minimum the Leones had two chances to even the score, but big mistakes running the bases prevented them for doing so. In the seventh, with one runner on, Andrés Hernández hit a long single off the wall in right field moving the runner from first to third, but right fielder Alexquemer Sánchez threw him out trying to get to second to end the inning. An inning later it was a repeat. Lisbán Correa singled to right and Sánchez did not waste any time putting him out when Correa was trying to get to second. And while manager Carlos Martí struggled with his pitching moves in Game 4, in Game 5 he guided four pitchers through the Leones lineup, finished by Carlos R. Santana, who pitched the ninth and close it out with a strikeout and a walk. Industriales, since the 2009-10 season when the won the championship, has been in postseasons six times and lost them all, including the 2012 Finals against Ciego de Ávila by sweep (4-0). Their winning record during that period is .405 (17-25). Granma, who returned to the postseason for the first time since 2018, has won five consecutive postseason series, and, since the 2016-17 season has a .679 (19-9) winning record with two Cuban Championships. Notes: In the game Industriales second baseman Juan C. Torriente collected his 1000th career hit off Lázaro Blanco in the top of the sixth inning. Highlights National Series Quarterfinals Jan 27, Game 1: Ind 5, Grm 4 (10 Innings) Jan 28, Game 2: Ind 0, Grm 3 Jan 30, Game 3: Grm 4, Ind 0 Feb 1, Game 4: Grm 3, Ind 10 Feb 3, Game 5: Ind 1, Grm 2 Granma won the best-of-five series 3-2 (Top photo of Granma's team celebrating: Oscar Alfonso Sosa/Photo of Lázaro Blanco: Oscar Alfonso Sosa)