Pinar del Río came back strong this Saturday, breaking their three-game losing streak by defeating the national champion Las Tunas with a decisive 6-0 win on their home turf. This victory, their first in the series, keeps their hopes alive in the grand finale of the Cuban National Baseball Series.
"It was another do-or-die game. There's no tomorrow for us. We managed to score runs early and held onto the lead. Our offense connected better, and Valle's pitching was excellent. We'll come out just as combative tomorrow at the Mella," stated Alexander Urquiola, the manager of Pinar del Río, in a press conference.
The performance of the vueltabajeros at a packed Julio Antonio Mella stadium was largely thanks to starting pitcher Mario Valle, who allowed only four hits over seven innings. Valle struck out five batters, issued three walks, and retired twelve consecutive hitters at one point.
"Today was the most important game of the season. I prepared for it by working with a psychologist: studying our opponents, watching how they made their connections. At the beginning of the season, I didn't achieve the best results because I had a blister on my finger, but it's healed now, and my performance is where it should be," Valle commented after the game.
During the game, William Saavedra hit his 28th postseason home run, surpassing the legendary Omar Linares.
"Hitting my 27th home run yesterday gave me more confidence, and today I went out there fully confident, thanks to the support from the manager and everyone. Before the game, I told the team that this series is for whoever wins four games. The one who performs best will be the one who triumphs," Saavedra assured.
Pinar del Río opened the scoring in the second inning against Eliander Bravo when Mario Lázaro Sánchez hit a two-run home run. In the following inning, Saavedra's solo home run extended their lead. In the eighth inning, a single by Juan Carlos Arencibia against Keniel Ferraz brought in Pinar’s fifth run. The sixth run came in the ninth inning on a hit by Taylon Sánchez with Anier Pérez on the mound.
Eliander Bravo took the loss, giving up four earned runs. Sports reporters noted that the keys to Pinar's success in the game were their offense (15 hits) and dominant pitching, which limited the powerful Las Tunas offense to just four hits and retired 18 consecutive batters.
This Sunday at 2 PM, both teams will face off in the fifth game of the final series. The hosts will aim for the championship, while Pinar del Río will fight for a win to bring the series back to their home field.
Key Insights on Pinar del Río's Victory
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Pinar del Río's crucial win in the Cuban National Baseball Series.
What was the turning point in Pinar del Río's victory?
Pinar del Río’s early runs and Mario Valle’s excellent pitching were crucial to their 6-0 win over Las Tunas.
Who were the standout players for Pinar del Río?
Mario Valle and William Saavedra were standout players, with Valle’s dominant pitching and Saavedra hitting his 28th postseason home run.
How did Pinar del Río's manager, Alexander Urquiola, react to the win?
Alexander Urquiola emphasized the do-or-die nature of the game and praised his team’s early scoring and pitching performance.