In a Championship Series that became closer than was expected after two games, Alanzanes de Granma clinched a comeback from behind victory in game six to win this year’s Cuban title. After trailing 5-1 the team managed to come back and win it in the ninth.
After the Alazanes took a 2-0 lead in games, Cocodrilos de Matanzas cut the lead in half in game three. Then in game four, Alazanes absolutely routed Cocodrilos 15-5 to take a 3-1 lead. In game five, Cocodrilos beat Alazanes again to get back to one game.
In a must win situation, Cocodrilos de Matanzas took a 5-1 lead in the sixth inning and appeared to be on their way to force a rubber game. But their two strenghts, their bullpen and timely hitting didn’t come through yesterday. With Granma strking out only once in 42 at-bats, it was an accident waiting to happen. In all other plate appearances, the Alazanes got good contact but didn’t have that bit of luck to extend their early one-run lead. Thanks to Matanzas’ bullpen not living up to the expectations, Granma could slowly get back into the game. A one-run sixth and seventh and a two run eighth made them tie the game at five.
Eventually in the ninth, an unlikely hero decided the game. Guillermo Garcia, who wasn;’t even a regular on Granma’s roster during the regular season. But with Guillermo Avilés removed from the roster due to corona contamination, Garcia grabbed his chance. He was used as a DH during the Championship Series and yesterday he delivered at the best possible moment.
With a 2-1 count, Garcia lifted the next pitch over the right field wall to hand Alazanes de Granma the 2021 championship and their third overall, dethroning reigning champion Matanzas in the 60th season of the Series Nacional de Beisbol Cuba.
Here is a long summary of game six:
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