Industriales advances to semifinals
Santiago de Cuba, Jul 6 (RHC) Leones de Industriales defeated the Avispas de Santiago de Cuba 4-2 at the Guillermón Moncada stadium to sign a historic comeback and reach the semifinals of the Cuban baseball championship.
After falling in the first three games of this duel, considered the national classic, the capital city team achieved on Saturday its fourth consecutive victory in a post-season series, unprecedented in domestic tournaments. Tied at one run, both teams reached the fifth inning when the hosts' starter, Wilber Reina, had to leave the mound with a facial injury after allowing a double by Alfredo Rodríguez.
Minutes later, Roberto Acevedo hit a triple off the relief pitching of Yoendris Montero to give his team a lead that they would not lose all night.
One inning later, the reliever went to the dugout when he took another three-base hit, this one from rookie Dairon Miranda that brought two runners home to put the lead at four to one.
Capital right-hander Maikel Taylor, who had already pitched an outstanding 10-chapter game to his opponents a few days ago, took the credit for pitching seven innings and two thirds, where he only allowed two runs, struck out six and gave up one walk.
In the eighth Yordan William Bustamante climbed to the mound for the second consecutive day and struck out a batter, but José Ernesto Pérez hung the ring on the board and got the last three outs.
The semifinals will begin next Wednesday and after the result of the defining game between Matanzas and Granma, the crossings will be defined.
Source: Prensa Latina