Cubs succumb again to the Pirates’ spell

The Holguin Cubs succumbed once more to the spell of Cristóbal Labra Stadium and its indomitable Isle of Youth Pirates, who defeated them for the second consecutive time this Wednesday, this time 5-2.

The Cubs’ offense was completely controlled throughout the nine innings by Sair Sánchez. A rookie of only 21 years old who holds the undesirable record for losses in the championship (11), is second in walks issued (52), and only managed his third win.

However, Sánchez managed to allow only five hits throughout the entire game. Two of them in the first inning, in which the Holguin team scored both of their runs, one of them unearned.

For Yusmel Velázquez, his second appearance in the series, also as a starter, proved effective, pitching five innings and allowing only four singles. Striking out three, walking three, and giving up one earned run, scored in the fifth inning.

José Miguel Rodríguez came in to relieve him, allowing all three batters he faced to single, the last of which drove in two runs. Left-hander Dairián Batista then got the final two outs. But not before surrendering a single that drove in the fourth run of the inning, setting the final score.

It’s worth remembering that José Miguel made three appearances in the previous game against Industriales. Pitching eleven innings and earning one win and two saves. Which led to him being named the week’s Most Valuable Pitcher for the second time in the series.

In summary, the Pirates collected nine hits and committed three errors. While the Cubs had five hits and one error.

For the winners, who didn’t hit any extra-base hits, Misael Cañete stood out offensively, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Along with two hits each from Andro Carreño and Hanly Verdecia. For the losing side, Nelson Batista, going 2-for-3, was the only player with more than one hit.

This Wednesday, the Las Tunas Lumberjacks, playing away at Estadio 5 de Septiembre, repeated their victory over the Cienfuegos Elephants. Defeating them 10-1 to maintain their comfortable lead and extend their winning streak to four games. At Mártires de Barbados Stadium, the Matanzas Crocodiles took advantage of their opportunity. After defeating the Granma Alazanes 13-5, climbed to second place in the standings.

The Mayabeque Hurricanes, playing at their Nelson Fernández Stadium, defeated the Santiago Wasps 17-13 in the game postponed from the previous day. Securing their sixth consecutive victory and solidifying their hold on fourth place in the tournament. The game scheduled for that day was postponed due to rain.

Also the Havana Industriales once again defeated the Ciego de Avila Tigers at their home stadium, José Ramón Cepero. This time with a score of 6-1, and maintained their position among the top teams.

The Sancti Spiritus Roosters once again stung the Guantanamo Indians at Nguyen Van Troi Stadium, this time by a 10-0 knockout, and remained firmly in a top position. At Augusto César Sandino Stadium, the Artemisa Hunters defeated the Villa Clara Leopards 7-2. Snapping a three-game losing streak and maintaining their position in the playoff zone.

Finally, at Capitán San Luis Stadium, the Camagüey Bulls and the Pinar del Rio Vegueros split their doubleheader. The Bulls won the first game 2-1, and the Vegueros secured the victory 4-3 in the second.

After Wednesday’s results, the top of the standings is as follows: Las Tunas (41-21); Matanzas (41-26, 2.5 points behind). Holguin (40-26, 3.0 points behind). Industriales (38-26, 4.0 points behind); Mayabeque (37-26, 4.5 points behind); Cienfuegos (34-29, 7.5 points behind). Sancti Spiritus (36-31, 7.5 ERA) and Artemisa (34-30, 8.0 ERA).

Noire Aguilera Montaña
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