A decisive strikeout by reliever José Miguel Rodríguez against Colombia gave Cuba the ticket to the semifinals of the baseball Americas Series, based in Venezuela.
Thank you for that action that was decreed by the last out of the party, thousands of followers of the cuban baseball They sighed with relief—along with the island’s high command—because the agonizing 8-7 victory over the Caimanes de Barranquilla assured the Cuban team to continue in the fight for the medals.
Before Rodríguez’s final pitch at the Fórum La Guaira stadium, the Colombian team had placed the tying runs and the lead in scoring position, a situation that revived other bitter moments experienced throughout the tournament.
However, the last pitcher used by the Cuban management managed to avoid a new debacle, after his predecessor, also reliever Yunier Batista, tolerated an unstoppable drive that put the coffee team close to turning the score around.
CUBA CLASSIFIED!
Despite being in a delicate situation where Colombia had the chance to go ahead in circulation, José Rodríguez managed to get the last out by striking out Kelvin Meleán. ⚾
This result leaves Colombia in fourth place in the standings,… pic.twitter.com/sPbf23w7do
— One Baseball Network (@1baseballtv) February 12, 2026
Another close match
Previously, Cuban starter Darío Sarduy had vindicated himself by throwing four innings without offering freedom to the Colombian team. according to the agency Latin Press (PL).
Meanwhile, the island’s fellow hitters scored runs with blows, three of them beyond the limits signed by the experienced Alfredo Despaignethe masked Harold Vázquez and the first baseman Yoel Yanqui.
Even so, it was not a quiet game for Cuba, as the Caimanes remained on the lookout and managed to get on the scoreboard before the final outcome.
By retiring five batters before tensions increased in the match, right-hander Yankiel Mauri scored success from the mound, while Yoryi Simarra, starter for the other side, carried the blow.
After six presentations, ending with a 3-3 balance, the Cuban team has demonstrated offensive capacity, even under pressure to overcome adverse scores. However, the staff of pitchers, mainly the second line, has left a mixed image by being punished by rivals or having lost control at key moments.
“It was a good ball game, we hit the ball, but we continue to face problems with the pitching,” acknowledged director Germán Mesa, who added that “the boys are doing what they can, we really can’t blame them for anything else.”
Americas Series: defeat against Panama puts Cuba on the brink of the precipice
Revenge in sight
In his statements, the Cuban strategist stated that, despite suffering in most of the games, the group he leads had fulfilled the first objective he brought to the tournament: qualify for the semifinals.
In turn, he announced that Randy Cueto will be in charge of the opening match against the hosts Navegantes de Magallanes, who closed the preliminary stage with successes in five of their six presentations, one of them against the Cuban team, with a score of 8-4.
#SeriesOfTheAmericas || FINAL POSITIONS
The last qualifying stage of the 2026 Americas Series has ended.@AguilasMetro and @Magallanes_bbc They finished with a balance of 5-1. The Panamanian representative occupied first position by winning the private duel.
Same… pic.twitter.com/VhcB5Kox2Z
— BeisbolGPO (@beisbolgpo) February 12, 2026
Despite securing the last available spot, the island’s team relegated the Caimanes (3-3) to fourth position in the standings, who will meet the Panamanian Águilas Metropolitanas (5-1). With the leadership assured, the Isthmus team lost in its last battle against the Argentine club Daom, with a score of 6-10.
Cuba attends the Americas Series with several players who will be representing it in the VI World Baseball Classic (WBC)which will start at the beginning of next March.
Once the continental competition is over, part of the group will travel to Nicaragua to hold four friendly duels against the team from that country that will be in the Classic.
As announced by the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation (FCBS), important players will join these commitments, including pitchers Liván Moinelo and Raidel Martínez, who shone in the most recent edition of the Japanese Professional Baseball League (NPB).
