Santiesteban returned with a win. Photo: Noire

Cubs take the lead against the Alazanes in the National Series

An effective start by the returning Carlos Santiesteban (1-0) and a decisive home run by Lázaro Cedeño (2nd) were key pieces in the Holguin Cubs’ 4-2 victory over the Granma Alazanes in the third round of the 64th National Baseball Series.

Santiesteban completed five scoreless innings. Allowing only three singles, three strikeouts, and two walks.

Michel Cabrera earned his second save despite being hit three times in three innings, two of them home runs by Leonardo Alarcón (1st) and Darián Palma (1st), two strikeouts, and one walk. The game, played errorless, ended in eight innings due to rain.

The loss came at the expense of Sammy Benítez (0-1), who allowed four runs in seven innings, striking out eight batters, walking three batters, intentionally walking two batters, hitting one hit by pitch, and allowing seven hits, including Cedeño’s home run in the first inning with two men on base.

For Holguin, who had seven hits, no one hit more than one, although two-run doubles by Cristian Onofre, Nelson Batista, and Luis Miguel Santiesteban, who drove in one run, scored. In addition to the home run hitters Alarcón and Palma, Yulieski Remón stood out in Granma’s offense, with six hits, and he went 2-for-3.

This Thursday, the Santiago de Cuba Wasps knocked out the Isla de la Juventud Pirates for the third straight day, this time 12-0, in a game where Harold Vázquez homered, doubled, and singled for six RBIs, and Yosiel Serrano, the winner, scored five runs.

The Camagüey Bulls initially won 5-4 with a home run by Rafael de Jesús, then the Guantanamo Indians retaliated 4-3 with a home run by Yosbel Pérez in a losing effort.

The Artemisa Hunters debuted with a 1-0 win over Mayabeque in a seven-inning game. Yunieski García earned a personal best, and José Ángel García added another save to his all-time record, while the second game was rained out.

Industriales defeated Cienfuegos again at the Latino Stadium, this time 4-2, in a five-inning game with home runs by Roberto Álvarez and Ariel Hechavarría, backing up the complete game of Remberto Barreto.

Villa Clara broke Sancti Spiritus’ unbeaten streak with a 2-1 final score, thanks to a home run by Yuri Fernández and a single by Ariel Díaz that backed up the solid performance of Alain Sánchez.

Las Tunas defeated Pinar del Rio 9-8 in a batting clash, led by Roberto Baldoquín with a single. A pair of doubles, and two RBIs, along with a home run by Alexei Ramírez for the visitors.

Finally, in Ciego de Avila, the Tigres were leading Matanzas 5-4 in the ninth inning when rain forced the game to be sealed. The game will resume this Friday, when the general rest period is scheduled.

Translated by Aliani Rojas Fernandez

Noire Aguilera Montaña
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