THE LEADER Matanzas completed the sweep against Industriales and raised to eight its winning streak in the II Elite League of Cuban Baseball, whose sixth sub-series concluded with a result under protest.
The Cocodrilos defeated the Havana team (7×6) boosted by the fifth home run in the tournament by José Armando Noroña and the third by Yurisbel Gracial, while former Major League Baseball player Dariel Álvarez hit 3-3. That trio of hitters supported the successful work of reliever Noelvis Entenza and «matador» Naikis Piedra.
Yordanis Samón also produced three hits, including his 253rd double of his life, the all-time leader in the Island’s championships.
The young pitcher of the Leones’ bullpen, Rafael Perdomo, stamped the defeat on his résumé, despite Walter Abreu Pacheco’s complete-game run.
With this success, the Crocodiles are confirmed as the best team in the last ten games, of which they have only lost one.
In their central part of the country, the Gallos ended their match against Las Tunas with a two wins each side, after winning 4×3.
Key was the combination of relievers integrated by the winner Yankiel Mauris (6.0 IP, 1CL, 5H, 6K, 1BB) and Yanielquis Duardo, who saved his fifth duel.
Both pitchers were backed by an airtight defense, confirmed in the only errorless game of the competitive date.
With the lumber, Yasniel Gonzalez pushed three runs and Rodolexis Moreno hit 4-3 to end the perfect night of the lumberjack Yunieski Larduet. Alejandro Meneses signed his third hit in as many decisions.
The game between Santiago de Cuba and Artemisa, delayed due to electricity problems in the circuit where the Guillermón Moncada Park is located in the eastern city, ended with a victory for the hosts 11×9, but the game was protested.
According to the daily report of the National Baseball Commission, the high command of the Cazadores requested a review, as they consider that there was a violation of the pitching regulations, as the Wasps used a pitcher disqualified for the game due to the number of pitches. The document explains that there will be an analysis and the results will be informed in due time.
Matanzas leads the standings with a 15-9 record, two games ahead of Sancti Spíritus (13-11). Next come Industriales and Las Tunas (12-12), Artemisa (11-13) and Santiago de Cuba (9-15).
This Wednesday is a rest day and on Thursday the schedule resumes with the games between ART-IND, MAT-LTU and SSP-SCU.
