The Matanzas Crocodiles kept the throne of the 64th National Baseball Series painted red and yellow, by defeating the Sancti Spíritus Roosters today 5-4 at their own José Antonio Huelga stadium.

In the day’s play, Holguín extended its winning streak to seven challenges to remain on the heels of the leaders and Las Tunas fell on foreign ground to provoke a triple tie for third place with Artemisa and Industriales.

The Crocodiles manufactured a trio of runs in the very first inning thanks to a run-scoring double by Eduardo Blanco and a single by Yariel Duque that brought two teammates home, to achieve a lead they never lost.
Esteban Terry and Eduardo Parreira also hit clean hits that drove in runs and supported the work of the starter Yamichel Pérez, who allowed three runs in 5.2 innings and took the credit.

Luis Manuel Hernández completed the challenge to record the save, although he conceded a single run in the final stages which raised the temperature of the contest.

At the Calixto García, the Holguín Cubs remained half a game behind Matanzas by defeating the Camagüey Bulls 18-8 and completing the only sweep of this week.
Within an attack of 15 clean hits, the home run hits by Yasiel González, his tenth of the season, and the 100th in National Series by Lázaro Cedeño, stood out.

Jorlis Bravo, Arley Pérez and Edward Magaña also sent the sphere disappearing with two bases occupied.
For the defeated, Reynaldo Almanza, Yosbel Pérez and Yan Pomares took the fences.
Wilson Paredes won his fourth game of the campaign and Michel Cabrera saved his seventh, to reaffirm himself as the leader in that department.
Industriales of Havana and Artemisa Hunters split honours in their double-header at the 26 de Julio stadium to both remain in the leading group.

In the sealed game from the previous day, the capital team won 11-10, thanks to a home run with a bag occupied by Ariel Sánchez which left the locals lying on the field.

It was the second home run in the game for Sánchez, who also connected a run-scoring single. Dayron Miranda also stood out with the bat with a run-scoring double and a home run.

For the defeated, Andy Cosme recorded a home run hit and drove in a trio of runs.
In the second game the Hunters took revenge and won 5-2, thanks to a grand slam home run by Harold Pedroso and a solo home run by Dayán García.

Leonardo Ocle, in a relief role, took the credit, whilst Andy Vargas was charged with the defeat.
The Santiago de Cuba Wasps, after falling on four occasions to the Las Tunas Woodcutters at the Guillermón Moncada, saved face by defeating them 16-7, in a match where Raidel Sánchez hit three home runs and drove in eight runs.

The victory went to the record of the starter Osvaldo Acuña, who struck out seven and conceded a pair of runs in six innings, while Jaime Pelegrín had to come to the defence of an ineffective relief corps and saved the game by hanging three zeros on the scoreboard.
At the 5 de Septiembre, the Cienfuegos Elephants achieved their second success in a row against the Mayabeque Hurricanes, this time with a scoreboard of 6-3, to place themselves just half a game away from the qualification zone.

Hermes González secured the victory supported by the relief of Yoelvis Leyva and Frank Alonso dispatched a home run for the defeated.
Finally, the Pinar del Río Vegueros defeated the bottom-placed Isla de la Juventud Pirates 2-0 and the Guantánamo Indians 8-6 the Granma Alazanes.

The Ciego de Ávila Tigers and the Villa Clara Leopards concluded the week without being able to play any of their five scheduled matches due to the impact of the rain.