The struggle for first place in the 64th National Baseball Series became tighter after Artemisa’s victory over Matanzas, who today will seek revenge in their headquarters at the Victoria de Girón stadium.

The Hunters delivered a statement of authority this Tuesday by defeating the Yumurino squad 6-1 with an offence of 21 base hits, combined pitching from Alejandro Hernández and Israel Sánchez, and a home run from José Antonio Jiménez. With that victory, the Artemisa team equalised the 16-7 record of the Santiago Wasps and fully entered the fight for the top.

Santiago, which could not play due to delays in the transportation of the Camagüey squad, will play a double-header today at the Guillermón Moncada to try to cut the distance from the leader (20-6).

Industriales, in fourth place with 15-8, will seek to get even at the Latinoamericano after their 12-8 defeat against Sancti Spíritus, which remains seventh (15-11) but with a steady pace. The Roosters decided the clash with clusters of four runs in the sixth and seventh innings, led by Daniel Fernández, author of four runs batted in.

Holguín (16-9), fifth in the table, continues to surprise with a solid pace after defeating Las Tunas (14-9) 4-2, supported by the arm of Wilson Paredes and the timely bat of Yulián Concepción.

Among the remaining results, Mayabeque (12-13) blanked Isla (5-20) 8-0, Cienfuegos (11-13) defeated Pinar del Río (10-15) 2-1, Guantánamo (5-21) laid out Ciego de Ávila (9-14) 5-3 and Granma (10-13) was dominating Villa Clara (7-16) 1-0 when the encounter was called in the eighth inning.

Today, the matchday promises strong emotions with direct duels that could shake the table. Matanzas will try to reaffirm its command, Artemisa and Santiago are pursuing the throne, and Industriales does not want to let go of the leading wagon.