THE PITCHING relievers could not hold on and the Cuban U-12 team fell to Mexico (4×6) in the Little League Baseball World Series at Volunteer Stadium in the US city of Williamsport.

The Santa Clara Bombers opened the tournament with a 4×1 success against Brno of the Czech Republic, and then lost 2×10 to Taipei of China. To stay alive, they had to beat the Mexicans to avoid the double-elimination system of the tournament.

The team coached by Everaldo Machado reached the sixth and final inning with a 4×1 lead. But after a solid performance by starter Deivy Hernández, who in 4.2 innings allowed just one run, the closer Denis Zamora was well punished by the Mexican side.

Reliever Antonio Guerrero’s home run with two teammates on base tied the score 4×4. And then, a home run by catcher Ulises Ortiz with a teammate in circulation, left the Santa Clara squad on the field.

Cuba benefited from the rotating offer offered by the organisers to attend this event, as happened last year with the Alazanes de Bayamo.

For the Little League tournament in 2025 this will no longer be the case and they will have to get a ticket for the Caribbean region.