The Industriales of Havana once again imposed their will today at the Latinoamericano Stadium, defeating the Leñadores of Las Tunas for the second consecutive day and remaining just one step away from the throne of the 64th National Baseball Series.
The Blue team, riding high in front of their home crowd, secured their 28th victory of the season (28-16) thanks to a monumental home run by Roberto Álvarez in the eighth inning, when the score was tied and the stadium was buzzing with excitement. His blast off reliever Keniel Ferráz unleashed a roar from the capital city fans and sealed the 3-2 win.
Álvarez was the undisputed hero of the day, driving in two runs and leading the Leones‘ offense, while on the mound, Raymond Figueredo held firm for five innings with five strikeouts and only one earned run. The win credit went to Rafael Orlando Perdomo, and Frank Herrera closed out the game, striking out two batters for his seventh save.
With the rain delay in the Holguín-Matanzas game, the Havana team seized the opportunity and moved within one game of the Cachorros in a race that already feels like a dramatic finish.
Elsewhere, the Mayabeque Hurricanes defeated the Leopardos de Villa Clara 8-5 at Sandino Stadium; the Cazadores de Artemisa routed the Avispas de Santiago 13-10 with 17 hits; and the Toros de Camagüey routed the Gallos de Sancti Spíritus 6-4 at Cándido González Stadium.
The Tigres de Ciego de Ávila defeated the Elefantes de Cienfuegos 5-2 at Cepero Stadium, while the Vegueros de Pinar del Río crushed the Indios de Guantánamo 11-1 with a 13-hit attack, led by Alexei Ramírez and William Saavedra.
Randy Martínez pitched seven solid innings to earn his first win, and on the Isle of Youth, the Pirates surprised the Granma Alazanes 6-4 at Cristóbal Labra Stadium.
