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Havana, July 3 (RHC) – The Leñadores de Las Tunas turned the page after their initial defeat and took revenge against Industriales by winning nine runs to zero, after an commendable relief performance by Yankiel Mauris and an offensive attack in the final stretch of the second game corresponding to the final in the IV Elite League of Cuban Baseball.
At the Latinoamericano Stadium, the visitors saved all their runs for the final stretch of the game, racking up 12 of their 15 hits that day. This allowed them to tie the series, now with one win apiece, and with the added incentive of playing the next three games at Julio Antonio Mella Park in Las Tunas, known as the Balcón de Oriente (Balcony of the East).
The Alarcón brothers once again stepped up when their team needed them most. In the seventh inning, Yosvani led off with a single to left field, followed by Yordanis with a single to the opposite field, setting the stage for Henry Quintero, who launched a home run that ignited the green-and-red offense.
From then on, Abeysi Pantoja’s team, brimming with confidence, established a cruising speed, adding five more hits in the ninth inning, including José Amaury Noroña’s fourth home run of the tournament for the reigning runners-up, thus securing the game’s final moments.
Earlier, Yankiel Mauris showed his mettle, controlling the capital’s squad with a four-inning performance that earned him the win. He allowed just two hits to the 14 batters he faced, along with four strikeouts and two walks. Meanwhile, starter Yosmel Garcés and relievers José Carlos Sarría and Alberto Pablo Civil also contributed to the shutout, limiting the opposing bats to only eight hits.
Although he delivered a quality outing, Andy Vargas accepted the misfortune of allowing three earned runs in seven innings, with six hits, three strikeouts, and one walk. However, his extended stay on the mound somewhat marred the right-hander’s otherwise solid performance, which also lacked support from his backups.
Thus, the battle for the championship takes a break as the action shifts to the other side of the country, where the Leones and Leñadores will face off starting next Saturday, vying for the lead in a series that promises plenty of excitement.
