Odrisamer Despaigne tossed six innings of eight-hit, two-run ball in which he struck out five batters and struck out two to lead the Caliente de Durango to a 6-3 win over Dorados de Chihuahua on Opening Day. The Havana native leaves his first start with a win and a solid 3.00 earned run average.
Cuban-American David Villar helped the cause for Durango with five runs batted in via a three-run homerun in the third inning and a two-run single in the seventh inning. The ex-big leaguer figures to be a key bat in the Caliente’s lineup this season.
Félix Pérez knocked in the first run of the season for all Cubans in five trips to the plate on Opening Day in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol for the Piratas de Campeche in their 9-8 loss to defending league champion the Diablos Rojos de México City. The Cuban slugger has driven in over 500 runs over his career in the LMB.
Raico Santos launched a three-run homer amongst his three hits on the day in five at-bats to lead the Tigres de Quintana Roo in their 8-2 thrashing of the Olmecas de Tabasco to open the campaign. The outfielder also scored twice in the game and made his return to the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol in grand fashion.
Cuban action on the night:
Félix Pérez (Campeche): 5-1,RBI,R (.250)
Odrisamer Despaigne (Durango): 6.0IP,8H, 2ER,5K,2BB (3.00)
David Villar (Durango): 4-2,HR,5RBI,2R (.500)
Vladimir Gutierrez (Puebla): 4.2IP,3H,2ER,6K, BB (3.86)
Yadiel Hernández (Dos Laredos): 4-0,R (0.00)
Raico Santos (Quintana Roo): 5-3,HR,3RBI,2R (.600)
Diosbel Arias (Quintana Roo): 5-3,2B,R (.600)
Yurisbel Gracial (Querétaro): 4-0 (.000)
Henry Urrutia (Querétaro): 4-3 (.750)
Rangel Ravelo (Querétaro): 0-0, DR (.000)
Yadir Drake (Yucatán): 5-0,RBI (.000)
Yoanner Negrín (Yucatán): 4.1IP,6H,6ER,2K,BB (12.46)
*Cuban-American