Andy Lans / @DeportesAndy
The Matanzas Crocodiles started off on the right foot 61st edition of the National Baseball Series, by defeating the Alazanes de Granma titleholders 4×3 at the “Mártires de Barbados” Stadium in Bayamo.
Yumurino second baseman Aníbal Medina opened the championship with a home run to left field against the Orientals starter César García. Just one shipment needed Medina to disappear the ball. Then, a double by shortstop Erisbel Arruebarruena made it 2×0 possible. In the bottom part of the first inning, the locals achieved the tie at a pair of lines with trailers by Raico Santos and Guillermo García.
The Alazanes walked right fielder Alexquemer Sánchez in the fifth inning and brought him in with a tubey by third baseman Osvaldo Abreu between right and center field, to decree the departure of starter Noervys Entenza (4.1 IP, 3 C, 5 H, 2 K , 2BB).
Arruebarrena’s second RBI (2-for-3, 2B, BB, 2 RBI) with a line to the right field catapulted a Jefferson Delgado to the plate, who opened the Crocodiles’ sixth offensive chance with a double. In the next act, Eduardo Blanco took advantage of another first pitch from García (6.0 IP, 4 C, 8 H, 3 K, 2 BB) to decree the 4×3 with a kilometric hit through the center of the field, a home run that in the end it was decisive.
The reigning runners-up squandered a clear scoring opportunity in the eighth. Under-23 international Roberto Álvarez grounded out to third base with congested base. Despite the closeness of the play at first base, the replay confirmed the out.
The victory of the meeting corresponded to the lefty Naykel Cruz. In relief, the prospect walked 4 2/3 innings with just one hit allowed, three strikeouts, no walks and speeds of up to 90 mph combined with control of his break.
In this way, in 15 games with Ferrer on the bench, those from the City of Bridges have accumulated nine wins and six setbacks against the Alazanes with 73 runs for and 58 against.
This Tuesday 25 will continue the Series 61 with the debut of the remaining 14 teams.
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ARRUEBARRENA SHOW: Matanzas defeated Granma in the Opening Game