The Industriales Lions defeated the Santiago de Cuba Wasps 4-2 on Saturday night at Guillermón Moncada Stadium, securing their place in the semifinals of the island's baseball championship with a historic and unprecedented comeback in the playoffs.
After losing the first three games in the so-called “national classic,” the capital team achieved a feat never before seen in the country: winning four consecutive postseason games after being down 0-3. This result has caused quite a stir on social media.
In the thrilling match, with the score tied at one run, Santiago’s starting pitcher Wilber Reina had to leave in the fifth inning after being hit in the face by a line drive from Alfredo Rodríguez. Shortly after, Roberto Acevedo hit a triple against reliever Yoendris Montero, giving Industriales a lead they would never relinquish. In the next inning, rookie Dairon Miranda hit another triple, bringing two runners home and extending the lead to 4-1.
Pitcher Maikel Taylor, who had pitched ten masterful innings in his previous outing, earned the win after allowing just two runs over seven and two-thirds innings, striking out six and walking one.
In the eighth inning, Yordan William Bustamante took the mound for the second consecutive night. After walking an opponent, José Ernesto Pérez took over, closing out the game without allowing any runs. He secured the final three outs, completing a feat only previously achieved by the Boston Red Sox over the New York Yankees in 2004.
Despite the intense rivalry on the field, the current quality of baseball played on the island has become a trending topic once again. Renowned journalist Julia Osendi shared her opinion on Facebook.
“Happy for the historic blue comeback but make no mistake: this baseball is rough! There are more than one Víctor Mesa when it comes to love for baseball but… without talent! Anyway, Industriales in the semifinals, I refuse to say ‘among the four greats,’” Osendi wrote.
The semifinal round will begin next Wednesday, and the matchups will be determined following the result of Sunday’s game between Matanzas and Granma at the Mártires de Barbados. Pinar del Río and Las Tunas are also in the running for the final stage.
Key Questions About Industriales’ Historic Comeback
Industriales' unprecedented comeback against Santiago de Cuba has sparked numerous questions among baseball fans. Here are some key queries and their answers regarding this historic event.
What made Industriales' comeback historic?
Industriales' comeback was historic because they won four consecutive postseason games after being down 0-3, a feat never before accomplished in Cuban baseball history.
Who were the standout players in the decisive game?
Standout players included Roberto Acevedo, who hit a crucial triple, Dairon Miranda, who extended the lead with another triple, and Maikel Taylor, who pitched effectively to secure the win.
How did social media react to Industriales’ victory?
Social media erupted with excitement and surprise, with many users celebrating the unprecedented comeback and sharing their reactions to this historic achievement.