The Holguin Cubs bid farewell with a resounding 10-3 victory, taking the game 4-1 against the Artemisa Hunters and maintaining their lead in the 64th National Baseball Series.
The Holguin team unleashed a relentless offensive onslaught of 16 hits. Including two extra-base hits of each category, while playing flawless defense. Their opponents managed nine hits and committed two errors.
After an ineffective relief appearance in the previous game, right-hander Luis Cáser (2-2) delivered a quality start. Earning the win by pitching five innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, striking out two, and walking two.
Another effective relief appearance at Estadio 26 de Julio was delivered by José Miguel Rodríguez, who pitched four innings. Allowing only one run and two hits, while striking out five batters, walking two, and hitting one batter. This performance earned him his second save, bringing his record to 4-1.
In the Cubs’ extensive and productive offense, Yasiel González stood out, going 3-for-4, including his fifteenth home run. Which puts him in sole possession of the league lead in that category, along with two RBIs. Lázaro Cedeño went 3-for-5 with his eleventh home run and two RBIs. Bringing his total to 47 and putting him three behind the leader, Yoel Yanqui.
Also crucial were the contributions of Cristhian Onofre, who went 3-for-5 with a triple and three RBIs, and Edward Magaña, who went 2-for-4 with a triple, and Jolber Naranjo, who added a double. The loss went to starting pitcher Javier Valencia (0-1), who allowed six hits and six runs, four earned, in just 1 1/3 innings pitched.
Despite traveling with a limited roster and little preparation, the Holguin team showed their fighting spirit, winning the first three games (9-3, 6-3, and 11-8) and, after losing the fourth (9-4), closing out the series with a 10-3 victory.
This Sunday, the Matanzas Crocodiles, at their home stadium Victoria de Girón, defeated the defending champion Las Tunas Lumberjacks 11-6.
Young reliever Silvio Iturralde earned his sixth win. For Matanzas, José Amaury Noroña hit a home run, and Hangelo Videt hit a game-winning homer in the eighth inning with two runners on base. The Lumberjacks committed four errors.
The Industriales Lions scored a decisive four runs in the eighth inning to defeat the Camagüey Bulls 6-1 at the Coloso del Cerro stadium.
For the Lions, Alfredo Hechavarría and Yoangel La O homered, supporting Reemberto Barreto’s fifth win without a loss. He pitched five solid innings, allowing five hits and showing excellent control, issuing only one walk.
Santiago de Cuba defeated Sancti Spiritus 8-6, but the victory was forfeited due to the use of an ineligible player. This infraction dropped them to ninth place in the standings.
In the other results, Cienfuegos defeated Guantanamo 16-7, and Ciego de Avila blanked Isla de la Juventud 6-0. The games between Pinar del Rio and Villa Clara, and Mayabeque and Granma, were suspended.
After the ninth round of head-to-head games, the standings in the top division are as follows: Holguin (29-15); Las Tunas (25-15, 2.0 ERA, .625 AVG); Matanzas (28-17, 1.5 ERA, .622 AVG); Industriales (26-16, 2.0 ERA); Mayabeque (24-18, 4.0 ERA); Sancti Spiritus (25-20, 4.5 ERA); Artemisa (23-19, 5.0 ERA); and Cienfuegos (22-19, 5.5 ERA).
Next in line are Santiago de Cuba (22-20), Ciego de Avila (17-18), Pinar del Rio (19-21), Granma (18-21), Camagüey (20-25), Villa Clara (11-21), Guantanamo (12-32), and Isla de la Juventud (10-34).
Starting this Tuesday, the Cacorros host the Cocodrilos at Calixto García Stadium.
- Cubs bid farewell to Artemisa with their fourth victory - 10 de November de 2025
- Cubs defeat Hunters again and maintain lead in the national series - 8 de November de 2025
- Cubs’ First Strike in Mayabeque - 24 de October de 2025