• Submitted by: lena campos
• Sports
• 05 / 10 / 2012

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With a great work by right-handed pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne, the Industriales team on Wednesday went ahead in the Western semifinals of the Cuban Baseball Series, after defeating on Wednesday its counterpart of Matanzas by 6-2 in the first of a seven-game series, the media reported on Thursday.

The so-called Lions of Havana took control of the challenge in the very first inning, when third baseman Rudy Reyes hit a two-run homer to the deep left field before starting pitcher Jorge Alberto Martinez.

However, the Crocodiles of Matanzas brought out their pride, while being supported by 25,000 fans gathered at the Victoria de Giron Stadium, and scored a run in the bottom of the very first inning, driven by designated hitter Yoandy Garlobo, and another run batted in (RBI) by 44-year veteran Manuel Benavides at the bottom of the second.

Despaigne took care of the rest, after an excellent pitching performance of 8 and 2/3 innings, including four strikeouts and allowing nine hits, with just two bases on balls and two earned runs.

For the first starter of Industriales, this is his third win in the 2012 extra games and the 7th of his career in playoffs.

Reyes was also awarded as best hitter of the game after totaling two singles and a homer in five at-bats (AB) with four runs batted in and one run scored.

In addition, the best batting performance of the game was also highlighted by visitor second baseman Juan Carlos Torriente (3H-4AB), and local center fielder Guillermo Heredia (2H-4AB).

Thus, Industriales made the first step in the finals of the Western division, and defeated a team that is used to win as local, mostly when right-handed Martinez is on the mound, who suffered his first defeat in the playoffs with three wins.

On Thursday, the two teams will clash again in the same facility at 17:00 hours, local time, with an alleged pitching duel between local right-handed Johan Hernandez and visitor left-handed Ian Rendon.

Results:

Victoria de Giron Stadium, Matanzas.

123 456 789 C H E

-Industriales (5-1)

300 200 001 6 12 0.

-Matanzas (4-4)

110 000 000 2 10 2.

W: Odrisamer Despaigne (3-0).

L: Jorge A. Martinez (3-1).

HR: Rudy Reyes.

Source: Prensa Latina