In Cuba's Athens, baseball is in the air

Matanzas breathed baseball on the opening day of the All-Star Series, with the two scheduled games of this tournament, plus another one in the under-12 category. 

Sunday began with the challenge between the little leaguers of the smaller leagues, representatives of Artemisa (San Antonio de los Baños) and Matanazas.

Beyond sports results, and coinciding with the 171st anniversary of the birth of José Martí, apostle of the nation. The future generations of baseball players lived moments of fraternity, united by the love of baseball. 

In terms of competition, the victory went to the Cocodrilitos Matanceros (11-1).

Hours later, the baseball party continued with the encounter between the stars of the Elite League and a Mexican team. The success went to the Cubans (10-0), with Yosiel Serrano getting the win.

With the wood, the Tuneros Denis Peña and Rafael Viñales "took" the fences the homeruns.

In the second game, the local Cocodrilos de Matanzas, champions of the II Elite League, defeated Venezuela (9-4).

Yordanis Samón was the big man on offense, with a home run and four runs, underpinning the victory of Eriel Carrillo, who pitched the entire game.

This Monday the Series continues with the games between Matanzas - Mexico and Estrellas - Venezuela.

The tournament is scheduled on a round-robin basis. Once the places in the qualifying stage have been determined, cross semifinals (first vs. fourth and second vs. third) will be held on the coming 31st. 

The losers will go for the bronze medal on the following day, while the winners will play for the tournament title.