CUBA – There is always chance for memorable moments during the Cuban postseason and on Monday afternoon La Habana had a memorable finish in Game 5 of the Western League Finals beating the Industriales Lions 7-4, on Orlando Lavandera’s (pictured) three-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning.

In the top of the ninth, the Lions were winning 4-2, and just three outs away of advancing to the Cuban Finals for first time since 2007, when reliever Armando Rivero walked Pedro Castillo to start the inning. Rivero struck out Dennis Laza for the first out but allowed Orlando Lavandera’ single to right putting runners in first and second. Michel Rodríguez loaded the bases with a single to right and Frank Montieh replaced Rivero.

Montieh retired Ernesto Molinet in grounder to short scoring Castillo in the play and moving Lavandera to third. Industriales was still leading 4-3 and Montieh was needing one out to end the game, when Cowboys second baseman Dayán García grounded to short and Rudy Reyes made a costly error allowing the tying run to score and sending the game to extra innings.

Frank Montieh struck out Rafael Orta to start the tenth inning but Zulueta singled to right and moved to second in a sacrifice bunt by Rolando Méndez. Dennis Laza – he was 0 for 4 and had failed twice with runners in scoring position – came to the plate and Industriales manager Germán Mesa decided to walk him intentionally. Orlando Lavandera – was 2 for 3 in the game – came up with two outs. This time, Lavandera drilled a 1-2 fastball into the left field bleachers, giving the Cowboys three decisive runs.

Miguel Lahera earned the victory with three scoreless innings after a great effort by starter Miguel Alfredo González, who pitched seven complete innings allowing four runs on eight hits while walked two.

Frank Montieh was the loser after pitching 1 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on two hits while struck out one and walked other.

Right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne was the starter for Industriales and pitched 6 2/3 innings with two runs on six hits, striking out four and walking three.

The Cowboys victory at Latinoamericano Stadium forced the series back to the Nelson Fernández Park in La Habana for Game 6. The Lions now hold a 3-2 advantage in the best-of-seven series, with the Western League Championship set to resume at 8:00 p.m. (Havana Time) on Wednesday, televised on Cubavision Internacional.

Manager Germán Mesa confirmed that lefty Ian Rendón has been tabbed to start Game 6. While, Habana’s manager Esteban Lombillo has not announced his pitcher yet. However and according to a source in Havana, the names of Yulieski González, Jonder Martínez and José A. García, were mentioned during the game.

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

Tags: Cuba