Yunesky Maya was 27 when he decided to leave his native land and pursue his profession here in America. The talented right-handed pitcher had won 48 games and lost 29 while posting an enviable 2.51 earned-run average in six seasons in the Cuban National Series.
Now 29, Maya is hitting his stride with the Syracuse Chiefs.
Last Saturday, April 30, Maya threw eight scoreless innings at Alliance Bank Stadium, allowing just three hits and striking out six Rochester Red Wings. His stellar performance ended the Chiefs’ six-game losing skid with a 3-0 win.
The Cuban defector flirted with a no-hitter for three and two-thirds innings before Matt Brown’s grounder rolled past second base into center field for a single in the fourth.
An inning later Ben Revere knocked Rochester’s only line-drive hit off Maya and in the seventh former Chief Chase Lambin notched the Red Wings’ third hit — another seeing-eye grounder up the middle.
So two of Rochester’s hits plus 11 of the 24 outs Maya recorded came on ground balls. He also had six strikeouts and induced seven fly-ball outs.
The amazing thing about Maya is that he dominates hitters without the benefit of a dominating fastball. His heater, such as it is, tops out at about 85 mph and his slider’s in the low-80s, but because he throws so many different pitches and throws them both overhand and slightly sidearm, he consistently keeps batters off balance.
Maya’s most impressive pitch may be his big, looping curveball which often floats to the plate at 65 mph. He struck out more than one batter with it Saturday. For instance, Toby Gardenhire stood frozen at the plate as the curve fluttered past him for a called third strike in the third.
A man of many unusual grips, Maya also throws a splitter and a change-up. So who needs a fastball?
Maya is now 1-2 with a 3.73 ERA. In 31 innings of work this season, he has struck out 26 and walked seven, and after a couple more starts as good as Saturday’s, he’ll soon be wearing a Washington Nationals jersey.
After an eight-game road trip to Virginia and North Carolina, the Chiefs return home at 7 p.m. May 13, against the Durham Bulls. That series concludes May 16, before the Norfolk Tides arrive at ABS for games May 17-20.
Alliance Bank Stadium is on the North Side, just east of the Regional Market. Field-level ticket prices range from $9 to $20, while upper-deck seats cost $8, and $4 for kids and seniors. Parking costs $5 per vehicle; 474-7833; syracusechiefs.com.
