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The Cuban baseball team achieved an exciting victory 8-7 against the Caimanes de Barranquilla (Colombia) this Wednesday and secured the last available spot in the semifinals of the 2026 Series of the Americas, a tournament being held in Venezuela.
The Fórum La Guaira stadium witnessed an intense clash in which the island's offense took the lead early and managed to build a solid advantage, capitalizing on key opportunities and exploiting the weaknesses of the opposing pitching.
Cuba sets conditions early on
The team managed by Germán Mesa displayed offensive strength with seven runs in the first five innings. A start that would set the course of the game and ultimately be crucial for qualification, according to the report from Prensa Latina.
The Colombian starter Yoryi Simarra was the loser, allowing three of those early runs, including a single and a home run by the experienced Alfredo Despaigne, as well as a hit from Yoelquis Guibert that drove in additional runs.
Later, the relievers from Barranquilla faltered, allowing key hits from Harold Vázquez and Yoel Yanqui, which extended Cuba's lead and complicated any attempt at a comeback by the Colombian team.
Well-combined pitching and offense
On his part, Cuban starter Darío Sarduy, with experience in Japanese baseball, pitched four solid innings, striking out five opponents and allowing only two runs. However, his replacement Luis Vázquez gave up a grand slam to Carlos Martínez, who kept the pressure on well into the game.
Cuba continued its production by closing the eighth chapter with a decisive run driven by Roel Santos, amid the cheers of the Cuban fans who filled the front row.
In the bullpen, José Ignacio Bermúdez pitched a flawless inning, Yankiel Mauris recorded five crucial outs to secure the victory, and José Miguel Rodríguez earned the save by retiring the last opposing batter.
Mesa highlights the team's efforts
At the end of the match, the director of the Cuban team, Germán Mesa, praised the performance of his players despite the challenges from the mound.
"It was a good baseball game; there was hitting, but we continue to face problems with pitching. The guys are doing what they can... the pitching is doing what it can," Mesa pointed out to the mentioned media, acknowledging the emotional strain of a demanding qualifying phase.
Similarly, the director of Cuba at the nearby World Classic celebrated the achievement of the main goal: advancing to the semifinals, although he warned that the path requires continuous effort. Additionally, he announced that Randy Cueto will be the starting pitcher in the next match.
Heading to the semifinals
Cuba concluded the regular stage in third place with a record of 3-3, a result sufficient to qualify for the next round in the 2026 Americas Series. Tomorrow, they will face the Metropolitan Eagles from Panama, who are second in the standings, in search of a spot in the title contention.
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