As the first half of the schedule ended over the weekend, Las Tunas found itself leading group C, ahead of Ciego de Avila in the four division Cuban Baseball League.

For those who have not closely observed the evolution of the Las Tunas team, such a qualitative jump could be understood as the work of a miracle.

However, a simple analysis demonstrates that Las Tunas showed tremendous hitting potential over the past few seasons; however, the squad’s pitching and defense were well below the national average.

Local fans lamented how their team showed such an overwhelming offense but still lost most games because the hapless pitching was giving up as many as 7 runs a game.

Last season the team began to improve, winning 40 games for the first time in history. Now, in the first half of the current season, they continue to make progress, reducing the staff’s collective ERA by 1.31 (from 5.46 to 4.15).

Among some of the factors that have influenced the substantial advance of the Las Tunas pitchers has been a more thorough study of opponents, the work done by the team’s psychologist, as well as their more rigorous training.

The opening of a Las Tunas pitching school in March 2001 also played an important role in the marked change.

As for the defense, several changes have been key to the team’s excellent performance. These included the transfer of Amaury Suarez to third base and Danel Castro to second, while using Hector Tamayo as the regular shortstop.

Las Tunas greatest strength remains its offense led by the hard-hitting trio of Osmani Urrutia, Joan Carlos Pedroso, and Danel Castro.

The team’s overpowering batting together with the improvements in pitching and defense and the enthusiastic support of local fans could give Las Tunas a ticket to this year’s playoffs.

By: Periodico26