9
Havana, May 20 (RHC) – Leones de Industriales, wounded but indomitable, avoided a sweep against Mayabeque today with a show of authority at the Latinoamericano Stadium and once again stood alone at the top of the IV Elite League of Cuban Baseball.
After three consecutive losses that had cast doubt on their progress, Guillermo Carmona’s Leones unleashed a voracious offensive to secure a 15-6 victory and their tenth win, while Las Tunas fell to Matanzas and relinquished their lead.
The game had the feel of a constant comeback, with the capital city team rallying twice in the first half before taking definitive control in the fourth inning thanks to a single by Yasmani Tomás off reliever José Raúl Román.
Mayabeque had come out like a whirlwind with four runs in the first inning and another in the second, but Industriales responded with a four-run rally to tie the game before falling behind again. Jonathan Bridón’s home run provided the spark that reignited the momentum of the game.
The lead was solidified in the fifth inning when Carlos Alberto Nieto, already with a triple and a single, opened his home run account with a blast that widened the gap and further ignited the azule’s offense.
The Havana attack, which racked up 20 hits, also featured the perfect performance of Roberto Álvarez, who went 3-for-3, and the power of Yasiel Santoya, who homered and drove in three runs to secure the victory.
On the mound, Rafael Orlando Perdomo navigated some rough innings, allowing six runs (four unearned), but managed to hold on for the win and solidify his position as the league leader in strikeouts (16).
At Victoria de Girón Stadium, Matanzas also avoided a sweep, defeating Las Tunas 7-6 and snapping a ten-game losing streak that had been weighing heavily on their aspirations.
Rafael de Jesús Álvarez hit a three-run homer, Brayan Peña added a two-run single, and Yulieski Remón extended his hitting streak to 15 consecutive games. Sahiel Cruz earned the win after pitching six innings and allowing only two runs, Yadier Garay secured the save, and Yosmel Garcés took the loss after surrendering six runs in four innings.
In another game, Holguín defeated Artemisa 10-3 to take the week’s head-to-head series with three wins, fueled by a 13-hit attack highlighted by Michael Gorguet’s home run.
Carlos Alberto Santiesteban earned the win with a five-inning performance, allowing only one earned run, while Andy Luis Pérez was tagged for five runs in five innings.
With these results, Industriales reaffirms its position at the top with a 10-6 record, followed by Las Tunas (9-7), Artemisa (8-7), Holguín (8-8), Mayabeque (7-9) and Matanzas (5-10).
