In an exciting game last night, Las Tunas ran out 5-4 winners in the first game of the series against Matanzas. All the action came in the 5th inning, with Matanzas leading 1-0, they extended their lead to 4-0. But The Tuneros hit back with a spectacular home run with the bases loaded from Yudiel Rodríguez off the pitching of Yosvani Alarcón.
Meanwhile over at the Jose Antonio Huelga stadium in Sancti Spíritus, the home team ran out easy 5-1 victors against Pinar del Rio. Yayabo's roosters had excellent pitching work from their main man Yoen Socarrás for eight innings, supported by ten hits from their batters. Among the best were Yunior Ibarra and Yoandy Baguet, whilst Frederich Cepeda (the leading batter in this 61st series) continued his great form, contributing 2 hits and squeezing the Pinar pitchers to the maximum, especially their starter, Vladimir Baños, who could not get past the fifth. The game had some tense moments, especially between opening Pinar batter and shortstop, Juan Carlos Arencibia, a player with a lot of spark (sometimes in excess - a sort of baseball Forestieri) and the Sancti Spiritus starter Yoen Socarrás. However the umpires quickly stifled the situation without having to expel any player.
Four games scheduled for today as the quarter final and post season continues:- Stadium: Julio Antonio Mella 14:00 - Matanzas v Las Tunas (Game 2) Stadium: Martyrs of Barbados 14:00 - Granma v Industriales of Havana (Game 1) Stadium: Nelson Fernández 10:00 - Ciego de Avila v Mayabeque (Game 1) Stadium: José Antonio Huelga 14:00 - Pinar del Rio v Sancti Spiritus (Game 2) They're showing the Industriales game on Rebel TV here, so I'll give you full reports on the results and action tomorrow (assuming I can get some wee-fee)
What a failure señores. The lions failed to roar. Didn't turn up. Went down 8 to 2 to Granma. Only the first game. There's still plenty of time to turn it around. For the record, Pedro Álvarez did not do the business for us from the pitcher's mound and Cesár García won it for them. Home runs for Guillermo Avilés, Lázaro Cedeño and Ivan Prieto did the damage. ¡Vamos Leones!
It's big match day compadres. At last Los Industriales are back at home in the Estadio Latinoamericano and a chance to get back in the series. 2-1 can get smiles back on capitalino's faces, but to go 3-0 behind against this Granma team is unthinkable. 7 mins til game time compadres. 1900 UK time. I assume you'll all be tuned it. Is there any chance of a Shoutbox? Mods? Mods? .... Hellooooo.....(echoing).
A double into centre field for Granma, who are batting first. First hit on the board. Two out though.
Phew! Retired! No damage in the top of the first. He connected, but nailed him at first before the runner could hardly move. Now WE bat! Vamos!
Unfortunate strike out with the count full, brings the innings to a close. But we're 2-0 up after the first. We're in dreamland! The recorded lion noise is blaring over the loudspeakers and the bells and drums are sounding....
A horrible error and Granma are back in it. 2-1. Granma fans jubilant. They say they are going to eat lion mince.
Caught in centre field and the innings is over thank god. We saved ourselves there. We were struggling. Bottom of the second and Juan Carlos Torriente is leading off for the capitalinos. Vamos!
But as we close out the 5th inning, they've pulled it back to 3-3. Nails are being bitten. The umpires really have a job on their hands. Tense doesn't cover it.