Cuban Baseball Finals: Villa Clara Wins Opener

Freddy Asiel Alvarez won the opener with eight scoreless innings.

HAVANA TIMES — Freddy Asiel Alvarez allowed only four hits over eight innings and Villa Clara shut out Matanazas 4-0 in the first game of the championship series of the Cuban baseball league.

Asiel extended to 33 innings his record setting scoreless streak in this year’s playoffs.

The game was played in Matanzas where the two remaining squads will face off tonight in the second contest of their best-of-seven series.

The right-hander struck out five and allowed only one base on balls.

The first three Villa Clara runs came in the fifth, breaking a scoreless duel with Alaín Delá. A bases loaded single by Yordan Manduley drove in two. Ariel Borrero hit a solo shot in the sixth which ended the scoring.

Jonder Martinez pitched a scoreless ninth for Villa Clara.

Boxscore

Two of the protagonists in Game 1: right to left: Yordan Manduley drove in two runs in the fifth and Jonder Martinez got the final three outs for Villa Clara. Photo: Baseballdecuba.com

Game #2: Villa Clara at Matanzas
Probable Starters: Villa Clara (Robelio Carrillo), Matanzas (Joel Suarez)
Stadium: Victoria de Girón, Matanzas
Time: 8:15 p.m.
TV: Cubavision Internacional
Radio: Radio Rebelde