Photo: ACN.

Havana, January 7 (RHC)-- The Agricultores team completed the sweep as host against Tabacaleros, by defeating them this Friday six runs to one in the second game of the semifinal play off of the First Elite League of Cuban Baseball, with scenario in the Mártires de Barbados stadium, in Granma province.

After beating the Tabacaleros on Thursday by a 13-2 knockout in eight innings, in the second particular date of the semifinal -from seven to win four-, the Agricultores passed the broom with another victory and the support of their fans.

After that result, the team led by Carlos Martí is now in a favorable situation to take on the three games on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday as visitors, at Capitán San Luis de Pinar del Río, where both teams will travel to today, Saturday.

The visitors scored the only run in the top of the first chapter, but the locals tied it in the bottom of the fourth and added three and two in the fifth and sixth, respectively.

Agricultores closed with 12 hits and committed one error, while Tabacaleros managed seven hits with three defensive errors. 

The win went to starter Leandro Martínez (5-2), who worked six complete innings, allowed six hits and one clean run, struck out one batter and gave away two bases on balls, with a save for Yoel Mogena (1).

Erlis Casanova, also a starter, took the loss. He pitched 4.2 innings, with four hits, three clean sheets, seven hits and two strikeouts, in a game in which three of his relievers worked.

Among the most outstanding offensive players for Agricultores was Guillermo Avilés, who hit 4-3, with a home run, a run scored and another run batted in, while for Tabacaleros, Leandro Urgélles hit 4-2 with a run batted in.

On the other hand, Centrales and Portuarios are tied at one game each in the other semifinal and traveled this Friday to Mayabeque to play three games on Saturday, Sunday and Monday at the Nelson Fernandez Stadium.

The Centrales opened with a 5-2 success on Wednesday, but the Portuarios evened the semifinal on Thursday with a 14-4 knockout in seven innings. Both challenges were held at the Victoria de Girón stadium in Matanzas.

The teams that win the semifinals will discuss the final, also seven to win four, and the champion will represent Cuba in the Gran Caracas 2023 Caribbean Baseball Series, from February 2 to 10.

The Venezuelan venues will be the La Rinconada stadium in Caracas and the La Guaira Forum, with the presence of eight teams.