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With a stellar pitching performance from right-hander Branlis Rodríguez, the Vegueros de Pinar del Río defended their home turf by shutting out the Leones de Industriales 2-0 this Wednesday at the Capitán San Luis stadium. This victory concluded the semifinal "dual meet" with a 4-2 aggregate score, securing a spot for them in the title race of the 63rd National Baseball Series in Cuba.
Driven by a fanbase eager for victory, which experienced tumultuous moments during access to the venue, the team managed by Alexander Urquiola left no room for doubts and secured qualification at the end of the competition thanks to an admirable performance by Rodríguez.
The right-hander pitched six and a third innings, allowing only a couple of hits, striking out three batters, and demonstrating surgeon-like control, while former Major Leaguer lefty Raudel Lazo took over for the rest of the game.
From the offensive perspective in a match characterized by the excellent performance of the pitchers, the home team cheered the line drives from Tailon Sánchez and Jorge Yoan Rojas before Luis Pablo Acosta's two-run rocket.
Indeed, Acosta can be mentioned as another hero for the winners, as in the seventh episode, he dashed the rival's dreams and ended the inning with a game-saving catch while the opposing team had runners on second and third.
Thus, the Pinar team secured a spot in the final and is now awaiting the winner between the Alazanes of Granma and the reigning champions, the Leñadores of Las Tunas, who lead 3-1 and will be looking to checkmate tomorrow.
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