Cuba Playoffs: Ciego de Avila 1st Title
By Circles Robinson
HAVANA TIMES — Ciego de Avila won its first Cuban baseball championship in style, defeating Industriales, the favorite from Havana, 4-3 in 11 innings on Monday night.
The series ended four games to one, and collective joy broke out in the central Cuban province.
Ciego had several heroes in finishing off Industriales.
Firstly, Yoelvis Fiss drove in the team’s first three runs and Yander Guevara pitched a strong 10.1 innings allowing three runs on seven hits.
However the glory went to Ricardo Bordon who drove in the winning run in the eleventh, and reliever/winning pitcher Lazaro Santana, who managed the final two outs.
Industriales fought hard to stay alive in the series.
Highlights for the Lions were eight innings of three run pitching by Antonio Romero and a homerun and two RBIs from Yoandri Urgelles.
Pinch hitter Irakly Chirino drove in the tying run for Industriales in the seventh to put the game at 3-3.
Julio Rayzan took the loss in relief for Industriales, allowing Bordon’s walk off hit with one out in the bottom of the 11th inning.
A full report/analysis of the championship series is forthcoming from Peter C. Bjarkman of baseballdecuba.com.