Photo: Jairo Cajina
The Cuban team couldn’t break the deadlock (2-2) in their first exhibition game against Nicaragua in the International Series at Roberto Clemente Stadium in Masaya. The Cuban offense struck out 11 times and managed only two runs in the first inning despite collecting nine hits. Roel Santos struck out twice, but was the only Cuban player with multiple hits in the game. The runs were driven in by Ariel Martínez and Alfredo Despaigne.
The Cuban pitching staff kept the Nicaraguan offense in check, allowing only five hits, four of which were given up by starting pitcher Raymond Figueredo (3.2 IP, 2 ER, BB, HR). The relief pitchers did not allow any runs: Yuniesky García (1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 K), Geonel Gutiérrez (1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 K), Frank Herrera (1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K), and Brander Guevara (2.0 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K).
The second of four exhibition games will be held next Sunday at Rigoberto López Pérez Stadium in León. The series is scheduled to take place in various cities and stadiums in Nicaragua. On the 25 it will be at Yamil Rios Ugarte in Rivas and the series will end at the Estadio Nacional Soberanía in Managua on 27 of February.
Cuba will bring a slightly better team to Nicaragua if the series is played. The squad could include such stars as Raidel Martínez, Liván Moinelo and Ariel Martínez, a very big upgrade from the Serie de las Américas team the is playing in Venezuela. Moinelo will pitch in the last game for Cuban on the 27th in front of a packed house in the Estadio Soberanía in the Central American country’s capital.