CUBA – Matanzas’ first baseman Lázaro Herrera (pictured) hit a go-ahead single, Youseff Pagés (1-0) earned the win and the Matanzas Crocodiles reached a 6-4 victory in 10 innings over the Pinar del Río Tobacco Growers on Tuesday afternoon.

Ariel Sánchez had an early two-run double, later added a two-run triple and the Crocodriles got a strong effort from the bullpen, increasing their West League second place lead to 1½ games over Pinar.

Matanzas has started the season with a 6-1 record that includes two shutout games (Metropolitanos and Isla de la Juventud) staying in second place in ERA (1.55-11-64.0) during the first two weeks of the 49 National Series.

Pagés was brought in to protect a one-run lead in the eight and allowed the tying run in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extras.

Matanzas was clinging to a 4-3 lead in the ninth when the right-hander allowed double of pinch-hitter Raidel Alvarez starting the inning. Then an error of first baseman Herrera allowed Pinar to put runners on first and third with no outs.

Pagés struck out second and third hitters in the Pinar’s lineup, second baseman David Castillo and third baseman Donald Duarte, before facing cleanup hitter Yosvany Peraza who singled to left allowing Alvarez to score the tying run.

But in the top of the tenth Pinar’s closer, lefty Raudel Lazo (0-1), walked leadoff hitter Ariel Sánchez, allowed sacrifice bunt of second baseman José Fernández to move Sánchez to second and walked intentionally Yoandry Garlobo.

In that situation, Lazo could not get the final out allowing Lázaro Herrera’ single to right to give Matanzas a 5-4 lead.

One more added the Crocodiles when Yariel Duque – against Pinar’s fifth reliever Yeynel Pita – forced out Herrera at second allowing Garlobo to score from third.

Raudel Lazo was pulled after Herrera single. He pitched 1/3 innings allowing two runs on one hit while walked two. He was charged with the loss.

Pagés pitched a perfect tenth inning, converting his 1st win of the season. The right-hander pitched three complete innings, allowing three hits and one unearned run.

The starters of the game, Pedro L. Lazo of Pinar and lefty Yosvany Fonseca of Matanzas, had no-decision. Both pitchers completed seven innings.

OTHER GAMES:

LAS TUNAS 10, GRANMA 6
W: Ubisney Bermúdez (1-1) (5.2 INN, 5 ER, 9 H, SO, 5 BB); L: Yanier González (1-1) (5.1 INN, 6 H, 4 ER, 3 SO, 1 BB); SV: Ariel Guerra (1) (3.1 INN, H, SO); Las Tunas’ catcher Yosvany Alarcón went 2-for-5 in the game, HR, and four RBIs. For Granma Alfredo Despaigne went 3-for-5, two runs, HR, and three RBIs. Carlos Benítez of Granma had also a HR in the game.

SANTIAGO DE CUBA 8, CIEGO DE AVILA 7
W: Yaumier Sánchez (2-0) (6.1 INN, 3 ER, 6 H, 3 SO, 2 BB); L: Valeri García (0-2) (6.2 INN, 7 H, 6 ER, 5 SO, 2 BB); SV: Osmani Tamayo (1) (2.2 INN, 4 ER, 4 H, SO); Pedro Poll of Santiago de Cuba went 2-for-4 in the game, a homerun and three RBIs.

HOLGUIN 4, CAMAGUEY 1
W: Daikel Labrada (1-0) (4.0 INN, 4 H, BB); L: Yusney Saborit (0-2) (4.1 INN, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 SO, 4 BB); SV: Pablo Millán Fernández (1) (1.0 INN, SO); Edilse Silva of Holguín went 2-for-4 in the game, run, HR and two RBIs.

GUANTANAMO 5, VILLA CLARA 5
GAME WAS POSTPONED IN THE TOP OF THE 11th INNING

Ray Otero can be reached at: elistas@baseballdecuba.com

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Tags: Cuba