Cuban Adolis García's home run, Yordan Álvarez and José "Pito" Abreu heat up the stands

October 11, 2023

With a home run by Cuban outfielder José Adolis García, the Texas Rangers defeated the Baltimore Orioles 7-1 at their Globe Life Field stadium in Arlington, and advanced to the American League Championship Series in the 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) season.

After 12 years, the Texas Rangers returned to this stage and everything seems to indicate that they will clash in a super classic against the Houston Astros, who dominate the other playoff series against the Twins.

The Rangers exploded early against the Orioles' opener, Israeli-American Dean Kremer (1.2, 7H, 6 ER, 2 HR). First, Corey Seager connected a 445-foot home run to right field to open the scoring in the same first inning; then, in the second inning, Mitch Garver hit a double that drove in two runs.

Finally, Cuban Adolis García blasted a 418-foot home run to left field with two men on base to make it 6-0 on the scoreboard.

The native of Avila García went 4-2 in that decisive matchup against the Orioles, with three RBIs and one run scored. After 24 at-bats in this postseason, the Cuban outfielder for the Rangers has accumulated a batting average of .292, with two home runs and five RBIs.

In another game on the day, two Cubans had significant roles in their teams' victories. Yordan Álvarez and José "Pito" Abreu led the Houston Astros' offense to put the Twins against the wall at their Target Field home in Minnesota.

Abreu and Álvarez drove in six of their team's nine runs: the native of Cienfuegos with two home runs and the Havana native Álvarez, 5-3, with two doubles and a home run.

"We all came out trying to make very good swings. We were able to do that, obviously part of the game is that whoever plays better will win and fortunately it was us," Abreu said about the matchup.

According to sports reporter Francys Romero, these two Cuban players from the Houston Astros, in an "exceptional afternoon," continue building their postseason legacy.

"Abreu became the first player with 2 HR of 440+MPH in a postseason game since 2015. Yordan: 3 extra bases for the second time in a postseason game, the only Cuban to do so. Yordan surpassed Yuli Gurriel and is now the Cuban with the most extra bases in October (24)," Romero commented on his Facebook profile.