Photo: ACN.

Havana, January 6 (RHC)-- The bats sounded strong this Thursday and with a total of 49 hits in two games there were a couple of knockouts in the semifinal day of the First Elite League of Cuban Baseball.

As visitors at the Victoria de Girón stadium in Yumurino, the Portuarios team made a spectacular comeback, based on a ferocious offense of 14 hits and good relief by right-hander Marcos Ortega, to defeat Centrales 14-4 in seven innings and thus equalize this semifinal at one victory per side.

The Centrales took the lead with their four runs in the first inning, when they gave six hits to starter Pavel Hernández in 0.2 thirds; but right there Ortega came in and in 4.1 innings limited the opponent's offense to three singles, with five strikeouts, to get the win.

The rest of the work was done by Pedro Álvarez, who allowed two hits in two innings.

On offense, the Portuarios' second hitter and right fielder Alexander Pozo was outstanding, who went 4-3 and towed five runs, while catcher Oscar Valdés hit 5-4 with a pair of foul balls; Centrales committed three errors.

Meanwhile, Agricultores gave Tabacaleros a 13-2 KO in eight innings at the Mártires de Barbados park in Bayamon, at the start of the second play-off, based on a powerful offense of 16 hits, including home runs by Yosvani Alarcón and Guillermo Avilés.

For the Agricultores, first baseman and center fielder Yunieski Larduet, who hit 4-3 with a pair of triples and four RBIs, stood out.

Alarcón closed the duel 3-2, as he also hit a double and drove in two runs, while Avilés drove in a trio of runs.

César García, who gave five hits in 6.0 innings, with a pair of strikeouts and only one ticket given, was the winner.

Agricultores and Tabacaleros will play the second game of the semifinal today at the same stadium, while Centrales and Portuarios will move to the Nelson Fernández Park in Mayabequense, where they will play the third game next Saturday.