The Holguin Cubs defeated the Matanzas Crocodiles 5-3 this Sunday at Major General Calixto García Stadium. Reclaiming the title in the 64th National Baseball Series.
After suffering three consecutive losses, the Holguin Cubs started strong. Scoring their first two runs in the first inning against star left-hander Yoenis Yera. Thanks to Yasiel González’s 16th home run (the league leader) with Luis Raúl Domínguez on base.
The Crocodiles got one run in the bottom of the same inning, scored from second by Aníbal Medina after a home run by Eduardo Blanco. Added two more in the third to tie the game and take the lead, driven in by Blanco and Hanyelo Videt against starter José Miguel Rodríguez.
Rodríguez was pulled after 4 1/3 innings of work, having allowed eight hits and three runs (only one earned). With three strikeouts and one hit batter. He then handed the mound to the determined Jesús Quintán.
In the sixth, the Cubs tied the game against Yera on a line drive to center field by Cristian Onofre with Yassiel on second. Yera left the mound after six innings of work, having allowed three runs. Struck out seven, given up nine hits, and issued no walks.
In the seventh, the Matanzas management brought in reliever Rubén Menes (0-1), the losing pitcher, who allowed a single and issued a walk. Both runs later scored on a sacrifice fly by Yasiel and a single by Michael Gorgüet, respectively, to secure the decisive runs. Jesús Quintán (2-0) earned the win with a gem of a relief appearance, pitching 4 2/3 hitless innings and allowing only two baserunners. One on a walk and the other on a walk.
For the winners, who tallied 11 hits and committed two errors defensively. The same as their opponents, Domínguez (3-for-5, 2B) stood out at the plate. While Edward Magaña, Nelson Batista, and Yasiel each went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs.
For the losing side, who collected eight hits, Medina went 2-for-5 with a double, and Eduardo Blanco drove in two runs.
This Sunday at Estadio Latinoamericano, the Leñadores de Las Tunas defeated the Industriales de La Habana 9-3 and solidified their hold on fourth place in the standings, behind their opponents. The Cienfuegos Elephants continued their winning streak by defeating the Ciego de Avila Tigers 3-1, securing their third consecutive victory and climbing to fifth place in the standings.
The Sancti Spiritus Roosters moved up to sixth place after defeating the Camagüey Bulls 5-1 at Cándido González Stadium.
At Augusto César Sandino Stadium, the Villa Clara Leopards inflicted the Mayabeque Hurricanes’ third consecutive loss, this time by a score of 13-2.
At 26 de Julio Stadium, the Santiago de Cuba Wasps won 13-9 on the road, and finally, the Granma Alazanes knocked out the Isla de la Juventud Pirates 15-3 at Cristóbal Labra Stadium, where they had lost the previous three games.
After the tenth round of games, the playoff standings are as follows: Holguin (31-18); Matanzas (31-19, 0.5 points behind); Industriales (29-18, 1.0 point behind). Las Tunas (27-18, 2.0 point behind); Cienfuegos (26-20, 3.5 point behind). Sancti Spiritus (28-22, 3.5 point behind); Mayabeque and Artemisa (26-21, 4.0 point behind).
- Cubs triumph and reclaim the throne in the National Baseball Series - 17 de November de 2025
- Crocodiles defeat Cubs in doubleheader and move within half a game of first place - 15 de November de 2025
- Cubs knock out Crocodiles and solidify their lead in the series - 14 de November de 2025