Photo: Prensa Latina

Havana, July 24 (PL)-- With the return to the rotation of left-hander Angel Sanchez, the team of Las Tunas will go out today to maintain its undefeated record in the current postseason and put the semifinal against Matanzas on the line.

Sanchez returns after an injury that prevented him from working in the quarterfinals, when the Leñadores blanked Ciego de Avila, and also did not want to rush him in the two games won against the Cocodrilos in this playoff.

In 11 starts during the preliminary stage, the Tunero left-hander had a 3-1 record with 4.94 ERA and WHIP of 1.69.

The 0-2 disadvantage has the Cocodrilos high command very tense, after their main starters did not work in the opening games.

Quesada worked indistinctly as part of the Matanzas rotation and bullpen during the regular season and will be looking for a success to close the gap in a best-of-seven series.

Las Tunas is the only team that has won all six games in the current post-season, a result that ratifies its leadership in the qualifying phase.

After losing three series against the Matanzas in the playoffs in previous years, including one in which they took an initial 2-0 lead, the Leñadores showed a very timely offense and enough tools to build runs.

The other semifinal also recorded two wins without defeats in favor of Industriales against Santiago de Cuba, a team that looked very tense in its Guillermón Moncada stadium, packed with fans.

The Leones took advantage of seven errors to score six runs and kept the lead in both games, despite three home runs by the Avispas, all with clean bases.

This Sunday, the Azules won 7-2, supported by a quality start by Reemberto Barreto and a pair of runs by former Major League Baseball player Yasmani Tomás, who has shown effectiveness in adjustments and adaptation to the island baseball tournament.

Next Wednesday, they will resume the match at the emblematic Latin American Stadium of Havana, where another large turnout of fans is expected.