Good pitching, defensive support, and Yosvani Alarcón -as the offensive hero-, were the key to the victorious debut of the Leñadores (Lumberjacks) in the postseason of the 63rd Cuban National Baseball Series, after beating the Ciego de Ávila Tigers 2-1 in 10 innings, at the Julio Antonio Mella Stadium.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- The foundations of the sports facility trembled when Yosvani drove in Yunieski Larduet from second base with a golden hit to the right field. The number 11 of Las Tunas rounded off a full day since, in the eighth act, he tied the score with a solo home run. In data, the player from Jobabo went three hits in five at-bats and drove in the two runs of the locals.
Before, Alberto Pablo Civil's temperament did what he usually did, and with a pair of strikeouts, he drew a vitally important zero in the tenth inning. The closer, who has been singled out in recent appearances, contained the best of the Ciego de Ávila artillery and, at the same time, dealt them a moral blow. From the box, he announced the fateful outcome of a script with a green-red seal while underlining his seventh success in the campaign.
Dachel Duquesne's breaking balls meant a headache for the batters of the Balcón de Oriente (Cuban Eastern Balcony), as he went through seven immaculate innings. The visiting starter guaranteed a quality start and recorded 21 outs, 12 of them by flies and three strikeouts.
On the opposite side, Eliánder Bravo was also at the height of the pitching duel by stringing together six "rings" in the colossus of Frank País Avenue. The left-hander responded to the trust of the head of the staff with a start in which he was barely bat for .222, allowing four hits in 18 at-bats.
With emotions running high and group harmony on the grass, the defending champions opened ahead. Against the team from Ciego de Ávila, Lumberjacks have not known defeat since January 8, 2019, as part of the 58th edition; ie, six consecutive victories in the postseason. Likewise, the team led by Abeysi Pantoja has turned its last six performances at the "Mella" in the direct elimination stages into achievements.
