With sharpened fangs and confidence intact, the Matanzas Crocodiles reached 45 victories today in the 64th National Baseball Series, an unprecedented number for the franchise in 75-game seasons.

At their Victoria de Girón home ground, the team led by Armando Ferrer imposed its will with a 7-2 win over the Cienfuegos Elephants. This result places them half a game behind the leading team, following a loss by the front-running Tuneros.

The Yumurina offense responded in moments of greatest tension, with Brayan Peña and Eduardo Blanco as the standard-bearers of timely hitting, each driving in two runs, while the pitching staff managed the advantage with serenity and skill. Yamichel Pérez was credited with the win, and Luis Manuel Hernández provided the lock-down relief to preserve the success.

The day's schedule also delivered one of the season's great upsets when the last-place Guantánamo Indians halted the leading Las Tunas Lumberjacks with a 2-1 score at the Nguyen Van Troi stadium. A rebellion by the tribe came in the late innings, headed by a home run from Danger Casi and a chain of hits that flipped the scoreboard. In that contest, Yordanis Alarcón wrote a golden page by connecting for the two-thousandth hit of his National Series career.

In Artemisa, the Hunters secured a valuable 3-2 victory over the Island Pirates, backed by a solid start from Daniel García, the timely home run by Osbel Pacheco, and the infinite experience of José Ángel García, who notched his 325th save and reaffirmed his legend from the mound.

The Santiago de Cuba Wasps are not giving up the fight and proved it with a resounding 13-3 knockout over the Granma Alazanes at the Guillermón Moncada stadium, a result that keeps their aspirations alive to break into the top eight.

Rain and logistical problems also played a leading role. The Industriales-Pinar del Río game at the Latinoamericano stadium was suspended, and the Villa Clara-Camagüey game at the Sandino had to be called off, while the Holguín-Ciego de Ávila and Mayabeque-Sancti Spíritus matchups will be played tomorrow as doubleheaders due to transportation issues.

Thus, the National Series enters its most tense stretch, with every victory weighing like gold and the drama growing game by game in the struggle for the privileged positions.