Havana, February 12 (RHC) -With a starring role for pitcher Shaiel Cruz and home runs from Esteban Terry and Yurisbel Gracial, Matanzas defeated Las Tunas 7-3 today, to celebrate their second victory in the grand final of Cuban baseball.
Right-hander Cruz managed to contain the Leñadores‘ offense after allowing three hits in the first inning and pitched five and a third innings, delivering a quality start and earning his third win of the playoffs.
The 19-year-old rookie from Matanzas left two runners on base when he left the game in the sixth inning, and two of the Tuneros’ runs in that frame were charged to him after Henry Quintero’s home run off reliever Yosney García (2.1 INNINGS, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB).
Closer Armando Dueñas took the mound in the eighth and retired all four batters he faced, including two strikeouts, to preserve the Cocodrilos‘ victory.
Similar to what happened in the first game, Armando Ferrer’s team took an early lead, fueled by a 10-hit offensive barrage, including home runs by outfielder Terry and designated hitter Gracial.
Returning to the lineup, Terry went 2-for-3 with a double and the aforementioned home run, driving in three teammates. Gracial added two singles in four at-bats with an RBI, including the solo homer.
The Cocodrilos‘ other runs came from timely hits by Ariel Martínez (1-for-4), José Noroña (1-for-3), and Luis Ángel Sánchez (1-for-4).
In the post-game press conference, manager Ferrer praised the Cocodrilos‘ performance, highlighting Shaiel Cruz’s start, the team’s offensive output, and their overall enthusiasm.
Las Tunas, the reigning champions, managed only five hits, committed one error, and used five pitchers. Rubén Rodríguez (2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB) took the loss.
In his remarks, Las Tunas manager Abeisy Pantoja acknowledged the team’s struggles to score runs and its defensive deficiencies, which are forcing the pitching staff to work harder.
Pantoja, who is managing his third consecutive final with the Leñadores, expressed confidence in their turnaround and insisted that “there’s no tomorrow; there are five games left, and we need to win four, which is very difficult, but not impossible.”
With a two-game lead, Matanzas will take the field tomorrow at the neutral-site Estadio Latinoamericano as the home team, with right-hander Brian Cedeño starting on the mound. Las Tunas, meanwhile, announced Yosmel Garcés as their starting pitcher.
