Game 3: Reality Check

Final Series of the II Elite Cuban Baseball League

There was a moment early in the game when the Artemisa Hunters seemed unstoppable. They started by scoring a three-run rally in the second inning. The first five batters reached base, attacking the Crocodiles' starter, right-hander Yadián Martínez. Four hit singles, combined with third baseman Yurisbel Gracial's sixth error during these playoffs.

In the first game of a home final series, the Hunters started with a 3-0 lead against the Crocodiles of Matanzas. However, Yadián managed to recover from the stormy second inning and began to put batters off him: he managed a string of six consecutive outs, and allowed only three hits against his last 19 opponents.

After the second inning, the Hunters' offense petered out.* They scored just one run the rest of the game, thanks to leadoff Yoán Moreno's solo home run, which tied the score at 4-4 during the bottom of the fifth inning.

*The disqualification of Frederich Cepeda due to injury (she suffered a sprain in one of her feet) was significant, although Carlos De La Tejera returned as a starter to the lineup and hit 2-for-4, with an RBI.

An inning later, the Hunters had the chance to regain control of the scoreboard. With two outs, Osbel Pacheco singled, and Andy Cosme doubled down the right field line.

I was really surprised that Pacheco couldn't score from the start —maybe because he waited for contact—, which looked risky, even though there were two outs. But you also have to give credit to the Crocodiles' defense. Ariel Sánchez made the assist quickly, collecting the ball in the right field corner. His throw was perfect to the infield, where Yordan Manduley made a masterful assist. Manduley went into the short zone of the right field, to receive Ariel's shot faster. He then threw to the plate and put out Pacheco with enough time.