The Las Tunas Lumberjacks retaliated with a 12-1 knockout to tie the Holguin Cubs in the sixth game of the 64th National Baseball Series at Calixto García Stadium.
Both starter Luis Cáser (1-2), who lost, and the three subsequent relievers suffered from the Las Tunas team’s productive offense, which included ten hits.
Ultimately, Cáser recorded just one out. Allowed three hits, and issued three walks, allowing three runs.
Left-hander Andriw Valido came to the rescue, retiring eleven batters in his turn before showing signs of fatigue in the fifth inning. Walking two batters and allowing a sacrifice bunt and a hit.
With the bases loaded, Jesús Quintán entered the game. After striking out Yordanis Alarcón, he issued a walk that brought up the fourth for the visitors, and the stage was set for rookie Osmani Urrutia Jr. to hit his first home run in the National Series. With the distinction of finding the bases loaded.
Left-hander Norge Luis Cobas scored four times in two innings, three of them earned, to seal the game. Dairian Batista, also a left-hander, pitched a scoreless inning, although he was hit twice.
The Holguin team scored their only run, an unearned one, in the fourth inning when they hit three singles, one of them an RBI by Yasiel González.
Las Tunas starter Yosmel Garcés (3-0), the winner, allowed only four singles in five innings. While relievers Keniel Ferraz (1 2/3) and Leodanis Sánchez (1 1/3) continued their dominance over the Holguin batters. Also who only managed seven singles in a game where each team failed twice on defense.
For the Leñadores, in addition to Urrutia (3-1) who drove in five runs, Yudier Rondón and Yordanis Alarcón stood out with their bats. Both with two hits and two RBIs. For the home team, Luis Raúl Domínguez and Lázaro Cedeño went 2-for-3.
On the same day, the Artemisa Hunters continued their season celebrations by defeating the Matanzas Crocodiles 9-4 at their home stadium in Victoria de Girón, moving closer to the top of the series.
The day was fruitful for Yulieski González’s team. With defeats by the Santiago de Cuba and Industriales teams, who were shadowing them in the standings. At their home stadium in the Guillermón Moncada stadium, the Wasps fell 8-1 to the Camagüey Toros and dropped to third place in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Sancti Spiritus Roosters defeated the Havana Industriales again at the Latinoamericano stadium. This time with a score of 3-1, putting pressure on the advanced group.
At the Augusto César Sandino stadium, the Granma Alazanes defeated the Villa Clara Leopardos 1-0 in the previous matchday.
The Guantanamo Indians defeated the Ciego de Avila Tigers 5-4 at their home stadium in the Nguyen Van Troi Stadium and moved out of the tournament’s relegation zone. As the Isla de la Juventud Pirates fell 2-5 to the Mayabeque Hurricanes.
Finally, the Cienfuegos Elephants, on their home turf at 5 de Septiembre Stadium, defeated the Pinar del Rio Vegueros 5-4.
This is how the qualifying zone stands: 1- Matanzas (20-7); 2- Artemisa (17-7 at 1.5). 3- Santiago de Cuba (16-8 at 2.5); 4-5 Industriales and Las Tunas (15-9 at 3.5). 6- Holguin (16-10 at 3.5); 7- Sancti Spiritus (16-10 at 3.5) and Camagüey (14-12, 5.5).
- Leopards three wins away from the National Series postseason - 14 de January de 2026
- Seven-Game Playoff Reinstated for the Entire Postseason - 13 de January de 2026
- Cubs sweep Tigers and still aspire to second place - 26 de December de 2025