Tigers Roared Louder in Cuban Baseball Playoff Finals (+photos)

Cuban baseball final playoff continues on Monday night in the Latinoamericano Stadium (over 60 thousand Industriales’ fans presenced Sunday game) with Osmar Carrero, for Tigers vs. lefty Ian Rendon, for Blue Lions.

In an unforgettable game, Ciego de Avila obtained the first victory in the seven-game final playoff of the 51^st Cuban baseball national season vs. multi-champ Industriales, with a 3-2 score, in a jam-packed Latinoamericano Stadium.

Ciego de Avila’s three decisive runs were scored in the 7th, after the game was reinitiated due to rain. Tigers’ center fielder, Yoelvis Fiss, shot an infield hit, got to second base for sacrifice, then Isaac Martinez was walked intentionally; Lisdey Diaz hit and got the bases loaded.

With Ricardo Borbon on plate, Lions’ catcher Lisban Correa could not retain 2 throws by Industriales’ ace Odrisamer Despaigne, and thus, Tigers scored the first two. The 3^rd came when first man in the roster, third-baseman Raul Gonzalez shot a double.

However, Industriales would fight back in the bottom of the 7th in the legs of international Alexander Malleta, who also scored in the 9th to put the game 3-2, in both cases brought over home plate by talented Yasmani Tomas.

Tigers were only one out from victory when experienced Carlos Tabares gave a long hit for the left field which went far, far, to…. foul zone. Industriales saw it coming, but the win was finally for Ciego de Avila, a team having a big man on ace Vladimir Garcia, with 15 wins in a row during the current season, and 5 in the playoff stage.

The final playoff will continue on Monday in the Latinoamericano Stadium (over 60 thousand Industriales’ fans presenced Sunday game) with Osmar Carrero, for Tigers vs. lefty Ian Rendon, for Blue Lions.

Taken from Cubadebate/Translated by Escambray