The Leñadores de Las Tunas defended the summit of the 64th National Baseball Series with pure axe blows this Tuesday, by leaving the Gallos de Sancti Spíritus lying on the field.
The so-called Eastern Nightmare won 13-12 thanks to a golden hit from their talisman Yosvani Alarcón, on a day when the Matanzas Cocodrilos maintained their siege and the Holguín Cachorros heated up the battle for the place of honour.
Alarcón had already connected a home run in the clash, as did Henry Quintero and Yudier Rondón, who each drove in two runs. His brother Yordanys also heated up the bat by going 5-4.
Rodolfo Díaz got one out to notch his seventh victory of the season and Yanielquis Duardo took the loss.
For the defeated, Frederich Cepeda and Yasser García sent the sphere beyond the field’s limits.
The Cocodrilos defeated the Santiago Avispas 13-6 at the Victoria de Girón stadium, with an offence of 16 rockets, where Hanyelo Videt stood out with four, including a grand slam and three RBIs.
Eduardo Blanco also swung the bat with a single, a pair of triples and two runs driven in, to support the work of Yoannis Yera, who withstood five runs in the same number of innings, but took the credit.
Luis Manuel Hernández recorded the save by pitching the remainder of the challenge, against some Santiago players who increased their record for home runs in a 75-game series, thanks to the wrists of Jeison Martínez and Harold Vázquez.
At the Calixto García, the Cachorros came from behind to beat Industriales 10-7, supported by an excellent attendance, and climbed to the third position in the overall standings.
Lázaro Cedeño went 5-2 with a double included and three RBIs, to reaffirm himself as the leader in that department, and Edward Magaña also brought three teammates home with a pair of hits.
José Miguel Rodríguez pitched four immaculate innings to win the game and Misael Fonseca suffered the defeat.
In the lost cause, Yaser Julio González hit his first home run with the blues’ jersey.
In Campechuela, the Elefantes de Cienfuegos maintained their firm step towards the next stage by defeating the Alazanes de Granma 5-3.
Richel López hit a pair of doubles and the duo of Erick Acevedo and Félix Rodríguez, with one and two doubles respectively, brought home four runs.
José Carlos Sarría signed a long relief of 7.1 innings and recorded the win, while César García, who barely pitched two innings, went through the narrow door.
The Huracanes de Mayabeque, supported by the arm of Osniel Basulto, who hung seven rings on the Nelson Fernández scoreboard, defeated the bottom-placed Indios de Guantánamo 4-0.
Xian Vega compiled 4-3 with two doubles included and Frank Alonso hit a home run, each driving in two runs.
At the Cándido González, the Toros defeated the Cazadores de Artemisa 8-6, with the power of Leonel Moas Jr, who connected a triple and a home run and drove in five runs, and of Lisván Fajardo, who also hit a ball out of the park.
At the Capitán San Luis stadium, the Tigers roared like never before to deliver a super knockout 24-4 to the Vegueros de Pinar del Río.
Jonathan Bridón, with two singles and a double, and Cristian Pagarizabal, with a home run, each drove in five runs to lead the cruel attack of 17 hits and support the work of the winner, Kevin Soto.
For the defeated, Yoannys Moreno and Jesús Arcia connected home runs.
Finally, the Leopardos de Villa Clara defeated the Piratas de La Isla 6-2 at the Augusto César Sandino, in a game where Osdany Rodríguez pitched the entire route and Leonardo Montero took the fences.
