The Matanzas Crocodiles are one step away from the semifinals of the 61st National Baseball Series, after defeating the Las Tunas Lumberjacks by a score of five goals to three and thus achieving their third success in the playoffs with only one loss.
Havana, May 31 (ACN-RR) - The Matanzas Crocodiles are one step away from the semifinals of the 61st National Baseball Series, after defeating the Las Tunas Lumberjacks by a score of five goals to three and thus achieving their third success in the playoffs with only one loss.
In a game marked by parity between both teams, a jit to center field by the ninth man in the Cocodrilos' lineup, Yoisnel Camejo, broke the three-way tie at the end of the eighth inning by bringing two men home.
Camejo, who drove in three of Matanzas' five runs, commented that baseball is very big and you never know what can happen, so you need a lot of concentration, an element that was key in his performance during the day.
In the eighth chapter I looked for serenity and not to despair in order to give a good connection, the hit came out and I am very grateful for the confidence that the management team and the other players have in me, he said.
According to the Crocodile outfielder, this game was one of the most spectacular moments he has experienced in his young career in the world of balls and strikes and he assured that he is ready to continue his contribution to the Reds' cause in this post-season.
On the other hand, in an attractive duel and with only two hits, the Leones de lndustriales beat the monarch Granma 1-0, stopped an adverse streak of three defeats and are still breathing in the quarterfinals of the LXI National Baseball Series.
Guillermo Carmona, mentor of the Leones, gave the Teammate to Yandi Molina, who had barely pitched 17 innings in the entire qualifying phase. And the right-hander from Marianao, although he gave away seven tickets in six innings, limited the opponent's offensive spending to five hits, with four strikeouts, to achieve his first victory of the season.
In this duel, right-hander Andy Vargas earned his tenth save of the tournament, by pitching three immaculate innings with three strikeouts. The palms went to left-hander Yunier Castillo, who sold his defeat by pitching a complete game with only two singles.
The Leones' winning run came in the fifth inning on a ticket to Andrés Hernández, a deflected pitch by Castillo and a run-scoring hit by torpedo Yamil Rivalta.
With this victory at the Latinoamericano stadium, this best-of-seven-game series is now 3-1 in favor of the disciples of seasoned manager Carlos Martí.
Meanwhile, another two-sided win took place at the Jose Ramon Cepero stadium, where Ciego de Avila beat Mayabeque 3-0 to put the match 2-1 in their favor.
Luis Marrero opened for the Tigres de Yorelvis Charles and threw 7.2 innings with three singles and five strikeouts, while reliever Yosvany Ávalos retired three of the four batters he faced to earn his eleventh save of the tournament.
Raul Gonzalez, who hit 4-2 and towed two of the three runs, was the outstanding hitter for the Avileños.
And Sancti Spíritus managed to tie 2-2 the match against Pinar del Río by winning today 11-6 the game sealed by rain. It was the eleventh victory in the tournament for right-hander Yuen Socarrás, who has on his record the two wins
