Crocodiles Extend Lead in Cuban Baseball Series

The Matanzas Crocodiles strengthened their position in the 64th National Baseball Series today, decisively defeating the Artemisa Hunters 8-0 at the Victoria de Girón stadium.

With this victory, their 22nd of the season, the team managed by Armando Ferrer extended their lead to two and a half games over Artemisa and two games over Santiago de Cuba.

Silvio Iturralde earned his fifth win, allowing just one hit over six innings, while Yosney Garcia closed the game effectively to record the save.

The Matanzas offense was led by José Amaury Noroña, who hit a home run; Eduardo Blanco, who drove in three runs; and Luis Ángel Sánchez, who connected for three hits and batted in two. Geonel Gutiérrez took the loss for the visitors, punished for seven earned runs over 4.2 innings.

In the other completed game of the day, the Camagüey Bulls outlasted the Santiago Wasps 14-12. Yoel Yanqui hit three home runs in the contest, bringing his season total to 13 and reaffirming his league lead.

In a separate match-up, the eastern team won via the mercy rule with a score of 20-6. Jeison Martínez hit his second home run of the day, and Yanqui drove in two runs to bring his total to 47 and maintain his RBI leadership.

Elsewhere, Industriales defeated Sancti Spíritus 2-1 thanks to a decisive home run by Ángel Alfredo Hechavarría. Holguín unleashed a devastating offense with 25 hits to beat Las Tunas 13-5, with standout performances from Luis Raúl Domínguez and home runs from Carlos Barrabí Jr. and Lázaro Cedeño.

At the Nelson Fernández stadium, Yadián Martínez pitched the 67th no-hitter in National Series history, guiding the Mayabeque Hurricanes to a 3-0 victory over the Island Pirates.

The games between Cienfuegos-Pinar del Río, Villa Clara-Granma, and Ciego de Ávila-Guantánamo were either suspended or postponed due to rain.