Cubs Split with Elephants and Win in the National Series

The Holguin Cubs and Cienfuegos Elephants concluded their doubleheader this Sunday at Calixto García Stadium with a split of honors. The home team dominated the fourth single game 3-2, posting a 13-7 record to move into fifth place in the 64th National Baseball Series.

In the game sealed the previous day, the Cubs won 14-9, but not before withstanding strong attacks from the pachyderms. Who were able to turn around the scores and take control in the fourth inning 5-3 and in the sixth 7-6.

However, the Cubs made a decisive comeback in the seventh, scoring five runs, while the visitors pulled one back in the eighth, but came up short. The Holguin team hit a record 22 hits for the series, double the number of the visitors, who failed twice on defense.

After a failed start by Luis Cáser (1.0 ERA, 5 H, 4 RBI, 1 BB), José Miguel Rodríguez (4.0 ERA, 3 H, 2 RBI, 3 K, 3 BB, 1 DB) came on. Earning him his second straight win. Michel Cabrera (2.0 ERA, 4 H, 2 RBI, 5 K, 2 BB) earned his fourth save. The loss went to Cienfuegos’ first reliever, Nioval Barroso (0-1). Who allowed three hits and three earned runs in three innings.

The winners’ abundant offense featured Lázaro Cedeño (4-for-6, 2 HR, 5 RBI), Yasiel González (3-for-6, HR). Michael Gorgüet (3-for-4), Marcos Fonseca (2-for-4, 2 RBI), Nelson Batista (2-for-4, 2B, RBI). Edward Magaña (2-for-5), and pinch-hitter Jorlis Bravo (2-for-2, 3B, 2 RBI).

For the losers, Erisbel Arruebarruena (2-for-4, 3 RBI) homered twice, and José Manuel Orama (3-for-4, 2 RBI) and Yosimar Quintana (2-for-4, 3 RBI) also homered.

In the second game, the Elephants won 5-4, leading 3-0 in the sixth inning when the Holguin team tied the game with a comeback that included five hits.

Two of those hits came against left-handed starter Islay Sotolongo (5 2/3 LP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 RBI) and three against reliever and eventual winner Kevin Hernández (1 1/3 LP, 5 H, 2 RBI), now with a 3-0 record. The Holguin team managed to get another run in the top of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough to even the score.

In this game, with one error for each side, the Holguin team hit 11 hits, one more than their opponents. The loss went to starter Wilson Paredes (5 2/3 LP, 10 H, 5 RBI, 4 RBI, 1 K, 1 BB). The final out was scored by José Antonio Sánchez, after issuing an intentional walk.

This Sunday, the Matanzas Crocodiles climbed to the top of the series. Taking advantage of the fact that the Santiago de Cuba Wasps have not played for two days due to inclement weather. At Victoria de Girón Stadium, the saurians defeated the Pinar del Rio Vegueros for the fourth time, this time by knockout, 17-0, in seven innings.

At 26 de Julio Stadium, the Artemisa Hunters took advantage of their home advantage and defeated the Guantanamo Indians 1-0 in extra innings, tying Industriales to third place in the standings. The La Isla Pirates climbed out of the bottom of the standings by defeating the Sancti Spiritus Roosters 8-6 at José Antonio Huelga Stadium. Thanks to home runs by Alexander Almarales and Frank David González.

Finally, at Cándido González Stadium, the Mayabeque Hurricanes blanked the Camagüey Bulls 8-0. Moving within half a score of them and threatening to cross the line separating the qualifying zone.

This matchday, in addition to the suspension of the match between Santiago de Cuba and Villa Clara. The Industriales-Granma and Las Tunas-Ciego de Avila games were also canceled due to the impact of rain in the eastern region of the country.

Starting this Tuesday, the 30th, the Holguin Cubs will face the Pinar del Rio Vegueros at the Capitán San Luis Stadium in the western provincial capital.

Noire Aguilera Montaña
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