Print
Hits: 5023

Yunieski Larduet hit a home run

Only with some ace drawn at the last minute of the sleeve could Las Tunas snatch a game from the Huracanes (Hurricanes) of Mayabeque, a team that could give the clarinet under Michael González, but that was beaten 6 × 5 on Sunday when Yuniesky Larduet decided with just the third home run of his career. 

as Tunas, Cuba.- “I have prepared well with the 'irons' this year and I am going to hit a few home runs,” Larduet had said two weeks ago, in the middle of training for the 60th National Series. And his words began to make sense today, after he scored a slugger hit off left-hander Géiler Gracial, to spectacularly hand the Leñadores (Lumberjacks) their first win of the season.

Larduet, 4-2 with a pair of RBIs, and Yordanis Alarcón, also 4-2 with his first homer, stood out on offensive for the winners, who had the other great protagonist of the afternoon in the right-hander Alejandro Meneses.

After two years without pitching and after an operation on his right arm, Meneses went back up on the mound of the "Julio Antonio Mella" and did not go down until he won. “I felt good, without my usual speed, but with good control. It's very good to be able to pitch again,” said the tall player at the end of the match.

Pitcher Alejandro Meneses returned to the mound

According to Michael González, his Hurricanes had a good result when they divided at the home of one of the best teams in Cuba. The rookie mentor managed his pitching staff resolutely, although perhaps Géiler Gracial was not the best option to close.

In this regard, González said that his closer, Alyánser Álvarez, has suffered discomfort in recent weeks and for that reason he quickly replaced him in the eighth inning when he gave a walk to the only batter he faced.

The Mayabeque team hit a home run by catcher Javier Carabeo (4 for 2 / HR / 2 RBIs) and the contribution of their fourth batter Yasniel González, who hit a single, a double and one RBI in four shifts at-bat.

The mentor of the Lumberjacks, Pablo Civil, considered that his team played the first two games with too many inaccuracies, although he recalled that the special situation in which the preparation took place, without facing opposing teams, has resulted at this beginning, somewhat slow.

Civil today depended on international Yudiel Rodríguez, who allowed five hits and three runs in 5.0 innings of performance. Then he appealed to his bullpen and gave the ball to Yasel Labrada and Alberto Pablo Civil, who walked the game for Meneses to finish.

The manager from Las Tunas announced the left-hander Ángel Sánchez and the right-handers José Armando Peña and Carlos Juan Viera for the subseries beginning on Tuesday against the champion, Matanzas.