In a back-and-forth game, the Holguin Cubs came close to victory. But couldn’t close it out, and the Sancti Spiritus Gallos prevailed 11-10 in 11 innings of battling at José Antonio Huelga Stadium.
The Sancti Spiritus team attacked in the very first inning. Scoring three runs against starter José Antonio Sánchez, who allowed two hits. Including a home run, issued two walks, and hit one batter.
The Holguin team responded in the second inning, knocking starter Carlos Michel Benavides out of the game and scoring four runs. Three of them driven in by a double from Carlos Barrabí off reliever Fernando Betanzos.
In the bottom of the second, the home team tied the game and took the lead in the third, 5-4, when they chased Sánchez from the game. Forcing him to hand the mound to Jesús Quintán. The score remained tied until the Cubs regained the lead, 6-5, on a two-run homer by Jorlis Bravo off Yanielquis Duardo.
With that advantage, the visitors entered the bottom of the ninth when Quintán retired the first two batters. But then couldn’t prevent three consecutive singles, tying the game.
Duardo earned the individual win, pitching five innings and allowing six runs (three earned), only three hits, striking out four, walking three (two intentionally), and hitting one batter.
For Quintán, it was his first loss in the national series, where he now has an 8-1 record, surrendering six runs (two earned) in eight innings. Allowing 10 hits, walking six (one intentionally), and striking out three.
The Sancti Spíritus team, who committed an error and left 20 men on base, unleashed a 17-hit offensive onslaught, led by Rodolexis Moreno, who went 4-for-5 with a double, and Liuber Gallo, who went 4-for-7 with a home run and four RBIs. Holguin managed six hits and committed three errors defensively.
This Thursday, the Las Tunas Lumberjacks defeated the Artemisa Hunters 6-0, thanks to the combined efforts of winning pitcher Rubén Rodríguez and save Keniel Ferraz, climbing back into second place in the 64th edition of the Cuban National Baseball Series.
The defending champions took advantage of Matanzas’ split of the series to overtake the Yumurinos by a narrow margin. At Victoria de Girón Stadium, the Toros surprised the Cocodrilos with a 4-3 victory, but the Cocodrilos responded with a 4-1 win, thanks to the dominance of star pitcher Yoannis Yera.
Industriales, at the Latinoamericano Stadium, defeated Santiago de Cuba for the third consecutive day. This time 9-4, with Misael Fonseca earning his fifth win.
On the same day, Villa Clara beat Cienfuegos 8-1 with an impeccable seven-inning relief appearance by José Carlos Quesada, while Ciego de Avila edged Mayabeque 6-3 and Granma defeated Pinar del Rio 1-0. Finally, Isla de la Juventud secured a doubleheader victory against Guantanamo: 9-2 and 3-1.
The top of the standings is as follows: Holguin (36 wins and 21 losses); Las Tunas (33-20). Matanzas (36-22); Industriales (34-21), Cienfuegos (31-23); Artemisa and Mayabeque (31-24) and Sancti Spiritus (31-27).
- Cubs can’t finish off Gallos and fall in hard-fought contest - 30 de November de 2025
- Exhausted Cubs with Key Absences Fall to Sancti Spiritus Roosters - 26 de November de 2025
- Cubs settle on top the National Baseball Series standings - 22 de November de 2025