With a tremendous offensive onslaught of 32 hits, including five home runs, the Lumberjacks sank the Santa María Pirates on the grass of Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium in their first appearance in the Baseball Champions League Americas 2025.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- The Cuban axes struck from the opening inning, driving in seven runs, with six hits that included doubles by Luis Vicente Mateo and Yosbany Alarcón and a three-run home run by Rafael Viñales—the first of a near-perfect afternoon for the first-baseman.
The slugfest continued inning after inning, pitcher after pitcher. Five runs in the second, two in the third, two more in the fourth, six in the sixth, and four in the eighth, for a total of 31. The green-red squad failed to reach home plate only in the so-called "lucky" chapter, although they managed to connect a hit.
According to information sent to colleague Orlando Cruz by Rodolfo Álvarez, a Guáimaro statistician, the Leñadores' 31 runs and 32 hits equaled the record achieved by Team Cuba in the 1978 Central American and Caribbean Games against Puerto Rico. The Las Tunas team only committed one error, while the Pirates scored seven, made 10 hits, and committed two woes.
Since the knockout rule is not in effect in the tournament, the green-reds extended the Curacao team's ordeal to eight innings. Rafael Viñales (2), Yoelkis Guibert (2), and Yosvani Alarcón (1) drove the ball over the fences; Rafa's second homer was a grand slam. The Manati native was the MVP, and along with third-at bat -Yoelkis Guibert- were the top RBIs, with seven and six runs respectively, while Luis Vicente Mateo drove in four.
In the box, after a shaky start, Andy Vargas found his usual effectiveness and pitched five innings without problems, allowing only three hits and two runs, and striking out five, to earn the win. Rodolfo Díaz -perhaps throwing more balls than usual-, Yadián Martínez, and Alberto P. Civil took care of the rest. It was extremely comforting to see the return of the Puerto Padre closer retiring the last three batters in order, as he had been sidelined in the Leñadores' last few games in the Elite League to recover from minor arm discomfort, manager Abeicy Pantoja said at the time.
After this crushing victory, the Cubans will face the Kane County Cougars (USA) on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. (Cuban time). A victory would secure the team, as the Group B leader, a place in the semifinals scheduled for Saturday, April 12, against the winner of the elimination match between the third-place team in Group A and the second-place team in Group B. A loss to the Americans would force them to play a spot in the semis, on April 11, against the third-place team in Group A.
