Industriales Near the Top of Cuban Baseball

The Havana Industriales asserted their dominance once again today at the Latinoamericano Stadium, defeating the Las Tunas Leñadores for the second consecutive day and moving to within just one step of the throne in the 64th National Baseball Series.

The blue squad, energized by their home crowd, secured their 28th victory of the campaign (28-16) thanks to a monumental hit by Roberto Álvarez in the eighth inning, when the score was tied and the stadium was boiling with excitement. His swing, against reliever Keniel Ferráz, unleashed the roar of the capital's fans and sealed the 3-2 victory.

Álvarez was the undisputed hero of the day, driving in two runs and leading the offense of the Lions. Meanwhile, on the mound, Raymond Figueredo remained firm for five innings with five strikeouts and just one earned run. The credit for the win went to Rafael Orlando Perdomo, and Frank Herrera locked down the game, striking out two batters for his seventh save.

With the rainout of the match between Holguín and Matanzas, the capital team took advantage of the opportunity and placed themselves just one game behind the Cachorros in a pennant race that is beginning to smell like a storybook finish.

In other ballparks, the Mayabeque Huracanes defeated the Villa Clara Leopardos 8-5 in Sandino; the Artemisa Cazadores beat the Santiago Avispas 13-10 with 17 hits; and the Camagüey Toros charged past the Sancti Spíritus Gallos 6-4 in the Cándido González stadium.

The Ciego de Ávila Tigers defeated the Cienfuegos Elefantes 5-2 in the Cepero stadium, while the Pinar del Río Vegueros crushed the Guantánamo Indios 11-1 with an attack of 13 hits, led by Alexei Ramírez and William Saavedra.

Randy Martínez pitched seven solid innings to earn his first win, and on the Isla de la Juventud, the Piratas surprised the Granma Alazanes 6-4 in the Cristóbal Labra stadium.