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The Cuban baseball team lost 6-1 to Nicaragua this Wednesday in the third match of the bilateral preparation series in anticipation of the VI World Baseball Classic, in a match held at the Yamil Ríos Ugarte Stadium in Rivas.
The setback came after a 2-2 draw in the first match (in Masaya) and a 3-1 victory for Cuba in the second match (in León). With this result, the hosts led by Dusty Baker achieved their first victory of the series.
Cracks in defense, pitching, and offense
According to JIT, Cuba showed inaccuracies in all three areas of the game. Nicaragua opened the scoring in the first inning against left-handed pitcher Yoennis Yera, who allowed a run after a double by Chase Dawson, a stolen base at third, and a groundout that drove in the run.
Yera pitched three innings. He was then relieved by José Ignacio Bermúdez, who faced no difficulties in retiring the fourth inning. However, in the fifth chapter, Geonel Gutiérrez allowed two runs, driven in by a hit from Omar Mendoza against Keniel Ferráz.
In the sixth inning, the supersonic Brander Guevara took the mound, but the home team extended their lead with three runs: one driven in by Benjamín Alegría and two more resulting from a defensive error by Ariel Martínez, who played as the left fielder.
They also launched Frank Herrera, Armando Dueñas, and Raidel Martínez.
The only Cuban run came thanks to a two-run double by Ángel Alfredo Hechavarría against the reliever Ángel Obando.
Analysis of the coaching staff
Humberto Guevara, the technical chief of the team, acknowledged to JIT that there were defensive deficiencies, walks, and hit balls that facilitated the opposing team's offensive play.
"We were well connected with two good plays, and our offense wasn't at its best either, although we must acknowledge the level of the pitching we faced," he stated.
However, he emphasized that since it was a preparatory game, the planned role for each pitcher was respected.
Moinelo will open the fourth game
The championship will conclude this Friday at the National Sovereignty Stadium in Managua.
The mentor Germán Mesa announced left-hander Liván Moinelo as the starter for the fourth game, accompanied in relief by Randy Martínez, Frank Abel Álvarez, and Raidel Martínez, all from Pinar.
Raídel Martínez, who made his first appearance after finishing his season in Japan, evaluated his performance positively.
"I always aimed to place the pitches above home plate, and the work turned out excellent. I believe it is also the result of the preparation we did in Cuba," he affirmed.
The series serves as part of the final adjustment for the Cuban team before its participation in the World Baseball Classic.
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