Crocodiles Win Third Victory Against Cubs

The Matanzas Crocodiles defeated the Holguin Cubs 10-8 to reach 31 wins on the season.

The Matanzas Crocodiles defeated the Holguin Cubs for the third consecutive time. 10-8 at Major General Calixto García Stadium, and climbed to first place in the National Baseball Series, half a game ahead of their victims and Industriales.

In a game where each team committed two errors defensively and neither hit extra-base hits. The winners, who tallied twelve hits, saw their first three batters—Anibal Medina, Luis Sánchez, and Eduardo Blanco—drive in seven runs. Hanyelo Bidet, batting fifth, brought in two more.

Also a similar pattern emerged for the Holguin Cubs, who collected thirteen hits, with their first four batters driving in all eight runs. Ernesto Torres (3-for-2, RBI), Luis Raúl Domínguez (3-for-1, 3 RBI), Lázaro Cedeño (3-for-1, 2 RBI), and cleanup hitter Yasiel González (5-for-4, 2 RBI).

Futhermore Holguin’s starting pitcher, Carlos Santiesteban, worked 6 1/3 innings. Allowing eight hits and seven earned runs. The loss went to Luis Cáser (2-for-3), who gave up four hits and three unearned runs in 1 2/3 innings.

The win went to Matanzas’ third reliever, Pedro Mesa (6-for-3). Although he allowed four hits and two earned runs in 1 1/3 innings. This Saturday at the Latinoamericano Stadium, Industriales routed Las Tunas 11-1, with Reemberto Barreto earning his sixth win without a loss.

Also at Capitán San Luis Stadium, the Vegueros of Pinar del Rio routed Guantanamo 17-1 in just five innings. Led by William Saavedra and Yasiel Ajete, who each hit a home run and drove in four and three runs, respectively.

On the same day, the Indios got their revenge with a 3-2 victory, though they remain at the bottom of the standings. There was also a split between the Gallos of Sancti Spiritus and the Toros of Camagüey. With the Gallos initially winning 4-2 before the Toros rallied 11-1.

Moreover in Santa Clara, the home team Leopardos blanked the Huracanes of Mayabeque 3-0, and Cienfuegos remained in playoff contention with a 3-0 win over Ciego de Avila. Alexander Vargas earned his fourth win of the season, striking out ten batters. The Santiago de Cuba Wasps fell 10-2 to the Artemisa Hunters, who featured a standout offensive performance from Dayán García. Also who went 3-for-5 with three RBIs, and a winning start from left-hander Geonel Gutiérrez.

Also the Isla Pirates also took advantage of Saturday’s hot bats. Crushing Granma 11-0, thanks to a home run and a double from Misael Cañete, who drove in three runs, and a strong pitching performance from Yordanis García.

Behind Matanzas (31-18) are Industriales (29-17, 0.5 points behind), Holguin (30-18, 0.5 points behind), Las Tunas (26-18, 2.5 points behind). Artemisa and Mayabeque (26-20, 3.5 points behind), Cienfuegos (25-20, 4.0 points behind), and Sancti Spiritus (27-22, 4.0 points behind).

Below the line that bisects the standings are the teams of Pinar del Rio (23-22), Santiago de Cuba (23-23), Ciego de Avila (18-21), Camagüey (22-27), Granma (19-24), Villa Clara (13-23), Isla de la Juventud (13-35), and Guantanamo (13-36).

Finally this Sunday, starting at 11:00 am, the tenth round of games in the Cuban domestic baseball tournament concludes.