In a hard-fought game decided by a tiebreaker rule in 10 innings, 9-7, the Holguin Cubs secured their first-base victory (3-1) against the Granma Alazanes in the recently started 64th National Baseball Series.
After failing to hit in nine at-bats, Alfredo Despaigne hit a huge home run to center field at Calixto García Stadium off Luis Cáser, with one man on base.
The Cubs struck back in the third inning when Cristian Onofre (5-2, 4 RBI) hit the ball to starter Yoel Mojena (0-1), who was losing, with two runners on base to take the lead.
A walk, an error by third baseman Jorlis Bravo, and a double by catcher Yosvani Sánchez (3-2, 2 RBI) that brought two home put the Granma team ahead again, 4-3.
In the sixth inning, the Holguin team came back, scoring three runs to make it 6-4, taking advantage of a single by Luis Miguel Santiesteban. A hit by pitch to Marcos Fonseca, an RBI by Edward Magaña (4-4, 2 RBI), and an error by first baseman Guillermo Avilés on a strong hit by Onofre.
The Granma team closed the gap in the seventh, 6-5, when they scored one off newly substituted pitcher Jesús Quintán, with a walk, a single, and a sacrifice fly.
The Cubs held a slim lead in the ninth inning, but José Antonio Sánchez (1-0), the eventual winner after having retired the eighth inning without much difficulty, couldn’t prevent Despaigne (6-2) from hitting a home run through left field to tie the game.
For the burly slugger from Granma, this meant his 288th and 289th home run in the national series, which, added to his home runs in the professional leagues of Mexico (13) and Japan (184). Adds up to 486, one less than Orestes Kindelán hit in the Cuban derby, as he didn’t have the opportunity to play in foreign leagues.
In the tenth, with runners on first and second as required by the tiebreaker rule, Michael Gorgüet hit a shot to left, followed by pinch-hitting Carlos Barrabí, who lined a two-run line drive to left-center. Nelson Batista then grounded into a double play, but another run scored to make it 9-6.
In the bottom of the tenth, the Alazanes scored one, and the victory rested on Despaigne’s wrists. With runners on first and second, he grounded out to shortstop. While the crowd gasped at the risky and courageous decision to pitch to him.
In short, Holguin hit 11 hits and failed three times on defense, while Granma hit nine hits and committed one blunder.
This Sunday, starting at 11:00 a.m. local time at Calixto García Stadium, the fifth and final game of this contest will take place, with Alexei Ricardo starting for the Alazanes and left-hander Uberleydis Estévez for the Cubs.
On Saturday, the Santiago de Cuba Wasps, after delivering three consecutive knockouts, defeated the Piratas de la Isla 10-9 at Guillermón Moncada Stadium.
At Victoria de Girón Stadium, the Matanzas Crocodiles defeated the Ciego de Avila Tigers in a double-header. They won 6-0 in the first inning and then by knockout, 12-1, led by the offense of José Amaury Noroña (4-3, two home runs, seven RBIs) and Eduardo Blanco, also with a home run and three RBIs.
The Camagüey Bulls also reached their third win, beating Guantanamo 13-3 at the Cándido González Stadium, supported by home runs from Reynaldo Almanza—his third of the championship—and Leonel Moas.
Industriales also celebrated their third victory, with an 8-3 score against the Cienfuegos Elephants, giving Misael Fonseca his first win in national tournaments.
Others who achieved their third win were the Sancti Spiritus Roosters, who won 6-2 over the Villa Clara Leopards with a home run from veteran Frederich Cepeda.
Translated by Aliani Rojas Fernandez
- Cubs lose Sunday but dominate Alazanes - 9 de September de 2025
- Cubs triumph in a hard-fought game against Alazanes - 8 de September de 2025
- Cubs aim to win their first game in the National Series - 6 de September de 2025