Ivan Prieto

Havana, January 15 (RHC)-- Ivan Prieto connected a home run with bases loaded and the current Granma champions defeated the Industriales of the capital by a score of 11-3 on Friday night, in an exhibition game that ended a baseball day where the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Cuban National Series was celebrated.

With the presence of Riccardo Fraccari, president of the World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC), a challenge began where homage was paid to the legendary Pedro Chavez, Jorge Trigoura, and Julio Gonzalez, representatives of those founders of these domestic championships.

The Eastern horses manufactured an explosive eight-run package in the tenth episode, after completing the agreed nine innings in an embrace with the hosts, in a duel that up to that moment was worthy of this important celebration for Cuban baseball.

Guillermo Carmona's team was held in check by starter Yoel Mojena, who allowed no liberties in five chapters, but then rebelled against the deliveries of relievers Kelbis Rodriguez and Carlos Santana, and scored three runs in the eighth inning, to equalize the actions of the game.

One inning later, the stands of the Cerro Colossus were shaken again, when they threatened to leave their rivals lying on the field, but Jorge Luis Barcelán produced a double kill with the angles congested, which left the scene ready for the Alazanes to go on the offensive.

A throwing error by starter Yasiel Santoya combined with four unearned runs to produce the game-defining run. A double off David Mena by the leadoff man Osvaldo Abreu, who had already saved his team with a spectacular catch when the ranch was on fire in the eighth, and Prieto's devastating hit off Remberto Barreto, completed the party.

For the national champions, Raico Santos was also outstanding with a solo home run and for Industriales, Santoya and Barcelán had a couple of hits, the latter with a run batted in.

Reliever Juan Danilo Pérez, who has not lost a game in five seasons with nine victories in his record, pitched an inning and two thirds without conceding a run.