Ramon More. External source
Santa Clara, Cuba, June 15 (Prensa Latina) The director of Villa Clara, Ramón Moré, showed here today his optimism of advancing to the playoffs, after completing the sweep against Cienfuegos in games played in this city in central Cuba.
With today’s 7-4 victory, the Sugar Leopards achieved their 36th victory in the 63rd National Series, after having won the four previous games against the Southern Elephants, after which they keep alive the aspiration of reaching eighth place in the semi-final stage.
However, Sancti Spíritus today kept one line above the oranges by disposing of Holguín 3-2 in a challenge staged at the Calixto García stadium.
In an exclusive interview with Prensa Latina, the winning pitcher, Yasmany Hernández (3rd and 3rd) showed his enthusiasm for achieving this new victory against a team that struggled with him in the first innings, but he was able to dominate it by appealing to his breaking pitches and his experience as pitcher.
“I had worked as a reliever in the last tournaments, but due to injuries to our established pitchers Freddy Asiel Álvarez and Alaín Sánchez, I assumed the task of starter and fulfilled my pitching coach José Ramón Riscart,” he said.
For his part, director Ramón Moré highlighted to this press agency that the management was very satisfied with the performance that the team has been putting together, especially in the last matches.
«Overcoming the victories of the previous tournament, with a team that has presented regrettable losses in the tournament, is something stimulating, which would be crowned if we include ourselves in the eight semi-finalists.
“I always tell my boys that the important ones are those who remain in the team and the willingness to move forward, which keeps me very happy,” said the director who in 2013 won the last title for the orange team in the National Series. .
Villa Clara will face Holguín starting next Tuesday also as the home club, in the last three challenges of its baseball calendar.
Las Tunas ensures presence in the Cuban baseball playoff
Artemisa, Cuba, June 15 (Prensa Latina) The current champion of Las Tunas secured here today the fourth berth for the playoffs of the Cuban baseball tournament in a long competitive day that left the situation for the eighth place just as tense.
Pitchers Yadier Zamora and Rodolfo Díaz played a leading role in the game, scoring victory and save, respectively.
In the second hour, the Artemiseños left the Las Tunas on the field by 8-7, a result that maintained the Cazadores’ options in the bid for the eighth place in the quarterfinals, to which Sancti Spíritus, Guantánamo and Villa Clara also aspire.
The Gallos achieved their fourth victory of the week against Holguín by 3-2 with the eleventh game saved for the leader in that section Yankiel Mauris and share eighth place with Guantánamo, both with a balance of 37-35.
The Indians’ team defeated La Isla twice, 8-1 and 5-1, to further concentrate the media spotlight on the middle of the standings, where the last place in the next stage of the championship is decided.
If they finish tied at the end of the preliminary phase, the people from Sancti Spiritus would own the ticket, after winning the private subseries 4-1.
Villa Clara completed the weekly sweep against Cienfuegos with a score of 7-4, the only option to continue aspiring to qualify for the postseason with three games remaining and located in ninth place, one step behind their predecessors.
Right-hander Yasmani Hernández Rojas and cleanup hitter Leonardo Montero (4-2, 3CI) led the Leopardos this Saturday at their home in Santa Clara, in the center of the island.
Ciego de Ávila left Mayabeque out of possibilities with a 7-0 victory and Matanzas left behind the tensions that surround the middle of the order with its 8-6 victory over the already eliminated Camagüey.
In the Tigers’ victory, young starter Ediel Ponce stood out, who reached eight successes in the season, reached the leaders in that area and confirmed his candidacy for Rookie of the Year.
Industriales and Santiago de Cuba divided honors, an outcome that left the Lions one win away from signing their fifth place in the quarterfinals.
In yesterday’s sealed game the Blues finished 6-2 with a four-round package in the ninth inning and in the following inning Andy Rodríguez drove in the two runs, the decisive one with a home run, to seal the 2-1 which also allowed reliever Osvaldo Acuña also reach eight wins.
Pinar del Río and Granma suspended their double program due to bad weather conditions in the west of the island.
At the end of the Saturday games, Pinar del Río leads the ranking with a balance of 46-24, followed by Las Tunas (41-23), Granma (44-26), Santiago de Cuba (42-30), Ciego de Ávila, Matanzas and Industriales (39-33) and Sancti Spíritus (37-35).
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