Mario Valle, pitcher

Las Tunas, July 28 (JIT) - Vegueros de Pinar del Río came out of the lethal offensive slump and with 15 hits defeated 6x0 the Leñadores de Las Tunas, in the final of the 63rd National Baseball Series.

Visiting the Julio Antonio Mella Stadium, Alexander Urquiola's team scored two runs in the second inning, driven by Mario Sánchez's home run, which would have been enough to support the excellent work of young Mario Valle.

The right-hander from the municipality of Viñales threw seven solid episodes with four hits and five strikeouts, to give the necessary first victory to his team, which is still alive in this final crossover led by the Tunero team (3-1).

He combined his commands well, he took away the straight line and used his slider to the outside to control the powerful Leñadores' lineup. And the long-awaited success smiled on him, his seventh of the season.

"It was a do-or-die game and I couldn't miss. I prepared well with the psychologist and my pitching coach so as not to repeat pitches and I was able to dominate the game," said Valle at the end of the game.

Tailon Sánchez, 4-3, with one run batted in and three runs scored, was the highlight of the game. There was also a home run by William Saavedra, his 28th in post-seasons, to stay alone in the lead.

In addition, Pinar del Río broke a streak of nine consecutive wins in the final phase of the playoffs. For the Leñadores, their catcher Yosvani Alarcón hit a home run and reached 30 in post-seasons, to tie with Yoelvis Fiss.

For the fifth game of this final, Yadier Zamora will start for the Tuneros, while left-hander Branlis Rodríguez will start for the Pinareños.