If the teams from Santiago de Cuba and Industriales face each other in a “normal” context, the expectation is palpable, not for nothing does the history surrounding these duels credit them as a Classic of Cuban baseball; but if the matchup in question corresponds to a play-off, we know that the spectacle transcends.
We already experienced it last year and the 63rd National Baseball Series once again serves our great domestic opponents on a silver platter, after they were positioned in seats four and five in the classification. Once again, the Guillermón stadium
Moncada welcomed a large number of fans and this time, they were able to enjoy how the Wasps left the Lions of the capital lying down (6×4).
The quarterfinals could not have started better for the hosts. Harold Vázquez, recently added to the squad, ended up being the hero of the first night, hitting a home run in the ninth inning that put the decisive two runs on the scoreboard. In dramatic fashion, the four-all tie that had been hanging on since the seventh inning was broken.
Although those led by Eddy Cajigal opened the scoreboard in the second inning, two acts later, Ángel Hechavarría and Yasmani “El Tank” Tomás disrupted the red and black plans with two home runs, the last one occurred with a teammate in circulation.
Olympian Danny Betancourt showed his composure and recovered in the box, but he was unable to prevent Industriales from adding another run in the lucky inning. Once again, Hechavarría was the executioner and detonated the blue explosion with a triple.
Osvaldo Acuña put the lock on the Lions, with an excellent relief at the Coloso de la Avenida de las Américas. His team responded in good time and was up to the task, Eduardo García was one of the most outstanding, as he had hit the hit that put the score at 3×2, in the fifth inning.
Luck also smiled on Adriel Labrada, who showed off his skills on the field and after Industriales’ last affront, he sent two indomitables home with a timely unstoppable hit. Thus, he lit the atmosphere and left it ready for Harold Vázquez’s big moment.
The Clásico is already giving something to talk about and there will surely be new postcards to remember. This Friday the action will resume at the headquarters of the Wasps, “Santiago” will try to extend the lead and Industriales will try to score the first smile.
#Cuba
