CUBA – While Miguel Alfredo’s steady brilliance kept Villa Clara off the scoreboard during seven innings, Orta’s shot against Villa Clara’ starter Freddy Asiel Alvarez (0-1) broke open a scoreless game during the Opening Day of the XLIX National Series.

Villa Clara didn’t manage an extra-base hit while getting shut out in the season just in their first game of the season.

The 2008-2009 Cuban National champions, La Habana, got the win behind starter Miguel Alfredo González and relievers José A. Garcia (1-0) – the winner – and closer Miguel Lahera (1).

After striking out five and allowing four singles over 7 innings, Miguel Alfredo left the mound behind an ovation. In the ninth, Lahera finished up with 1 inning of hitless relief.

One inning before, reliever José A. García got out of trouble to claim the win. With two runners on bases, shortstop Michael Gonzalez – replacing injured Rolando Mendez –stopped a ball that was trying to pass to the leftfield, hit by second basemen Yeniet Pérez, to keep the score intact. One batter later Gonzalez started a flashy 6-4-3 double play to end the inning and allow La Habana to take the lead in the bottom of that inning.

Freddy Asiel Alvarez (0-1) was the loser but he didn’t pitch badly. The young right handed allowed four hits over 7 2/3 innings striking out four, walking two and hitting three. Freddy Asiel wasn’t as sharp as MAG during his third loss against the Cowboys in the last four starts.

In the bottom of the eight, Freddy Asiel hit with a pitch centerfielder Orlando Lavandera, and a sacrifice bunt of Michael Gonzalez allowed Lavandera to advance to second. Then Freddy Asiel struck out right fielder Denis Laza to get the second out of the inning but allowed hit to right of Rafael Orta allowing lavender to score with the only run of the game.

Neither pitcher faced much trouble during the first seven innings of the inaugural game but the deep La Habana’s pitching staff proved one more time to be ready for another battle to the title on this XLIX National Series.

NOTES: Habana’s second baseman Ernesto Molinet and centerfielder Juan C. Linares didn’t appear in the lineup for lesions… Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez won his first Opening Game in National Series and Freddy Asiel Alvarez lost his first…No player for either La Habana and Villa Clara had two hits in the game.

Photo: Closer Miguel Lahera got the final three outs of a 1-0 victory over the Orangeman that gave the Cowboys their first win of the XLIX National Series. (BaseballdeCuba)

Visit BaseballdeCuba for Cuban League news, stats, standings, videos and much more.

Tags: Cuba