CUBA – The Villa Clara Orangemen broke out of their offensive during Game 5 of the Cuban Eastern Finals and then held on for a series-clinching win over the Ciego de Avila Tigers at José Ramón Cepero Stadium. Ariel Borrero’s offensive return sparked three RBIs, leading the Orangemen to a 8-4 win Tuesday night in the decisive Game 5 that completed a 4-1 playoff win of the Tigers.

The Orangemen, looking for their first Cuban title since 1995, wrapped up the League championship using his best pitcher, right-hander Freddy Asiel Alvarez, who won his third game in the 2010 postseason pitching 6 2/3 innings.

After closer Yolexis Ulacia got Lisdey Díaz to hit to short for a double play for the final two outs of the game, the emotionally drained Orangemen congratulated each other on the field and then headed quickly into their dugout to celebrate its second consecutive Eastern League title under manager Eduardo Martín belt.

The Orangemen didn’t want to go back to Villa Clara to finish the series with the Tigers, and they preferred to win as soon as possible and to prepare for a probably Sunday night’s Cuban National Final opener against either the Industriales Lions or the La Habana Cowboys.

Villa Clara starter Freddy Asiel was pulled after 6 2/3 innings, but the Orangemen bullpen picked him up. Playing for keeps, manager Eduardo Martín brought in rookie reliever Yasmani Hernández but he could not get any outs and it was replaced by closer Yolexis Ulacia for his first relief on this series.

Ulacia got the final eight outs for his 1st postseason save and number 10 of the season.

Borrero had his first RBI of the game in the first inning with a grounder to second bringing home Yuniet Flores with Villa Clara second run of the game. Before that, Ciego’ starter Vladimir García walked Leonys Martín, who stole second, and allowed consecutive singles by Yuniet Flores and Ramón Lunar for the first run of the game scored by Martín. Villa Clara was winning 2-0.

But in the bottom of the first inning Ciego scored one against Freddy Asiel. The right-hander started the inning hitting leadoff Abdel Cievil and walking Mario Vega. An Issac Martínez grounder to second helped the Villa Clara defense to create a 4-6-3 double play moving Civil to third. But Yoelvis Fiss singled to left to send Civil home.

In the bottom of the second the Tigers tied the game. Yorbis Borroto drove in the run with a double to center after Raúl González single and Yuniet Flores fielding error over the play.
In the sixth, the Orangemen took the lead.

Vladimir García, exceeded in pitches during the first five innings, started the sixth walking Borrero. The Villa Clara first baseman moved to second when Vladimir balks. It was the first balk of the 2010 postseason and was announced by home plate umpire, José Pérez Julien. Vladimir walked Pestano putting runners in first and second and Andy Zamora loaded the bases in a sacrifice bunt that saw him arrives safe to first.

García struck out Yandry Canto for the first out of the inning but Dian Toscano’s fly to right became a sacrifice fly bringing home Borrero and giving the Orangemen a 3-2 lead.

Ciego’s manager Roger Machado replaced García, who was over already 120 pitches. Vladimir completed 5 2/3 innings allowing only four hits – none on this inning – and three earned while struck out six batters and walked five. Alien Mora came to pitch and allowed Aledmis Díaz single to right scoring Pestano the four run of the game for Villa Clara.

Freddy Asiel showed some strength in the bottom of the sixth, striking out the side for his 4-5-6 strikeouts of the night. The right-hander was in control of the game using basically his fastball that is most of the cases topped 94 miles per hour.

Ramón Lunar doubled to center to start the seventh inning. Mora struck out Borrero and the manager Machado decided to walk Pestano intentionally looking for a double play saver with Yandrys canto. But the second baseman laced a line drive double to left sending Lunar and Borrero home and knocking –out Mora. Villa Clara was 6-2 on top.

Villa Clara Orangemen first baseman Ariel Borrero, center, approaches clubhouse after hitting a two-run homer during the eight inning of Game 5 of the Cuban Eastern Finals against the Ciego de Avila Tigers at José Ramón Cepero Stadium on Tuesday night. Orangemen’s manager Eduardo Martín (right), and closer Yolexis Ulacia (left) congratulate Borrero.

Ciego scored one run in the bottom of the seventh but Villa Clara secured the game with two more in the eight.

Reliever José A. Barroso walked Ramón Lunar after the first out of the inning and allowed Ariel Borrero’s homer to right to give Villa Clara an 8-3 lead.

The Tigers had the tying runs at the plate in the seven and the opportunity to close the gap in the eight with two runners on bases, but failed to score off a Villa Clara bullpen that struggled in the beginning.

Vladimir García, who had a great performance in Game 1 was ineffective yesterday on four days’ rest and got the loss.

Freddy Asiel got the win while Yolexis Ulacia, who pitched 2 2/3 innings allowing one run on four hits and striking out one, got the save.

With the win Villa Clara earns its ninth Eastern League flag and second consecutive since 1993, when the new postseason structure was put on place.

Now the Orangemen wait for an unknown rival between the Industriales Lions and the La habana Cowboys that tonight will celebrate Game 6 of the Western league Finals at the Nelson Fernández Stadium in La Habana. If Industriales win tonight, then they will advance to the Finals against Villa Clara.

If La Habana wins, both teams will celebrate Game 7 on Thursday night at Nelson Fernández Stadium.

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

Tags: Cuba