The Las Tunas Leñadores (Lumberjacks) kicked off their 64th National Baseball Series campaign with a resounding 10-6 victory over the Pinar del Río Vegueros; a game in which they showcased their power at bat and the responsiveness of their bullpen to contain rivals.
Las Tunas, Cuba.– From the first official pitch, Las Tunas starter Eliánder Bravo knew that the team from the western edge of Cuba was serious, as Juan Carlos Arencibia doubled against him. Ultimately, in that first inning, Pinar del Río connected on four hits, including a two-run home run by the powerful William Saavedra, to take an early 3-0 lead. However, Bravo managed to stabilize his performance, holding off the Vegueros offensive for the next three innings, in what would become a quality outing, allowing three earned runs in 4.1 innings.
The Lumberjacks' response was swift, but it was in the fourth inning that it exploded. With Yosvani Alarcón on base, Roberto Baldoquín hit a double to put himself in scoring position. Henry Quintero, one of the new players, drove in both with a single to left field, making the score 3-2 and rekindling hope in the Julio A. Mella Stadium.
The fifth inning was decisive. After a single by Héctor Castillo, who reached second after stealing, Yuniesky Larduet and Yudier Rondón hit a single and a double, respectively, to tie the game. With the departure of Pinar del Río starter Leodan Reyes, reliever Yancarlos García took the mound, a decision that bore no fruit. The Leñadores capitalized with an intentional walk to Yosvani Alarcón, followed by a devastating double by Roberto Baldoquín that cleared the bases. Henry Quintero finished the game with a two-run homer, completing a seven-run rally in the inning that left the score at 9-3.
Pinar del Río did not give up. In the seventh inning, with Keniel Ferraz on the mound, the experienced Alexei Ramírez hit a three-run homer that brought the visitors closer (9-6). It was the moment of greatest pressure for the home team, but Ferraz recovered to finish the inning. Rodolfo Díaz closed the game with authority in the eighth and ninth innings, sealing the victory.
Keniel Ferraz earned the win with 2.2 innings of relief, allowing three runs; meanwhile, Leodan Reyes took the loss for the Vegueros.
Henry Quintero, who drove in four with his home run and single, and Roberto Baldoquín, with a three-run double, stood out at bat. Quintero, a native of Camagüey, has played in professional leagues in the United States, with Atlanta, and the Dominican Republic. But he recently returned home with an impetuous spirit.
"I wanted to play in Cuba. But it couldn't be with Camagüey, so I called Professor Abeysi Pantoja, who opened the doors for me, and here I am retiring," he told Jit. "I've learned to prepare myself in the batter's box for a certain pitch. And I had already announced that home run to a teammate, to whom I mentioned that the opposing pitcher was working on a fastball and slider. I waited for a fastball, and that big hit came," he stated.
The burly slugger explained that he was trained to play second base, but can cover other positions. "In Camagüey, I always played third base; in Atlanta, infield and outfield; and in the Dominican Republic, I was signed to play right field. But I can play any position, even catcher," he added.
This initial victory sent a message of the Lumberjacks' intention to retain their title. They demonstrated that they have a deep bat capable of responding to adversity, and that relief pitching staff, after a setback, can find the effectiveness to preserve the victory.
