Havana, November 1 (RHC) – The Leñadores de las Tunas extended their winning streak today in the 65th Cuban National Baseball Series by defeating Sancti Spíritus 6-4 and completing a sweep that consolidates their position at the top of the eastern standings.
The green-and-red team reached five consecutive victories and 16 on the season, holding a one-and-a-half-game lead over Santiago de Cuba and Holguín, whose game was suspended due to rain.
At José Antonio Huelga Stadium, the visitors collected 13 hits, including Luis Antonio Pérez’s third home run of the season, while Eldi Velázquez earned his third win without a loss and Alberto Pablo Civil recorded his fourth save.
The eastern league also saw Ciego de Ávila’s resounding victory, routing Camagüey 13-4 with a grand slam by Ernesto Álvarez and another by Fernando de la Paz, while Granma defeated Guantánamo 10-3, thanks to Ernesto Pérez’s eighth home run of the season.
The Las Tunas team leads the standings with a 16-8 record, followed by Santiago de Cuba and Holguín (14-9), Granma (13-11), Ciego de Ávila (12-12), Sancti Spíritus (11-13), Camagüey (9-15), and Guantánamo (6-18).
In the West, the Leones de Industriales maintained second place by delivering a 14-1 knockout victory over the Cazadores de Artemisa, with Yasmani Tomás and Yasiel Santoya each hitting home runs.
On the mound, Fher Cejas pitched a solid five-inning start, allowing only one hit and keeping the opposing team’s score intact.
The Cocodrilos de Matanzas maintained their tie with the Havana team by defeating Mayabeque 8-5 in a game shortened to eight innings due to rain. Andrys Pérez hit a home run for the winners, while Lázaro Martínez responded with a grand slam for the Huracanes.
There was also celebration for the Elefantes de Cienfuegos, who completed a sweep of Villa Clara with a 12-2 knockout victory, extending their winning streak against that opponent to eight games this season.
Erisbel Arruebarrena contributed a grand slam, and Kevin Hernández earned the win after pitching five and a third innings, allowing two runs.
Pinar del Río continues to lead the Western Zone with 20 wins and four losses, while Industriales and Matanzas share second place (14-8), ahead of Cienfuegos (12-12), Mayabeque (11-12), Artemisa (9-15), Villa Clara (8-13) and La Isla (3-19).
