2024-02-13 11:13:16
Text: Editorial of Cuba Noticias 360
Foto: RL Hevia
The Crocodiles of Matanzas celebrated their second title in less than two weeks after being crowned champions of the Cuban baseball Star Series, a quadrangular competition organized by the Cuban Federation (FCBS) and also had the presence of another cast made up of the best players from the rest of the country, as well as with squads from Mexico and Venezuela.
The two teams from the patio came to the match for the scepter: the Yumurinos hosts under the command of Armando Ferrer and the Estrellas de Cuba commanded by Yuliesky Gónzalez. The duel constituted a kind of revenge for what happened in the outcome of the Elite League, but the debutant Artemiseño manager could not get rid of his thorn against the experienced Matanzas driver either.
For the third consecutive game, the home team let loose to bat as in their Victoria de Girón headquarters as if there were no tomorrow. A 12-2 KO score in the fifth chapter dictated the end of the duel and gave way to celebrations. Once again Yurisbel Gracial and Yadir Drake showed off their offense, with home runs and three RBIs per capita.
The individual success belonged to the Mayabequen right-hander Yadián Martínez, who in five innings allowed two earned runs, had five hits, struck out three and walked two. The setback was for the starter of the Estrellas team, the Santiago right-hander Yosiel Serrano, the same one who had scored the victory against the Crocodiles in the qualifying phase.
In this way, Matanzas confirms itself as the “blunderbuss” that it is, a team whose backbone is made up of several players with experience in professional baseball, some even in the Major Leagues like shortstop Erisbel Arruebarruena himself.
However, the spark plug of the squad on this occasion, both in the Elite League and now, was Yurisbel Gracial, who due to the form exhibited could be classified as the best player currently playing in Cuba. Not for nothing, he received the Most Valuable Player award of the recently concluded winter tournament.
With the final point of the All-Star Series, Cuban baseball has just over a month left until its next major commitment, the 63rd edition of the National Baseball Series, scheduled to begin on March 9.
For the moment, the fans who have been left wanting to continue living the passions of the national pastime will have to settle for the celebration of the champion club tournament, an event that returns after three decades without taking place and pits the winning teams of each competition against each other. provincial.