Havana, June 17 (RHC) – The IV Cuban Baseball Elite League enters its decisive stage with Mayabeque, Artemisa and Matanzas in a heated battle for the last spot in the semifinals after a day of contrasts and long hits.
With just two games remaining, Mayabeque (17-20), Artemisa (16-21), and Matanzas (15-21) are walking a tightrope in the standings, where every detail could tip the scales, the outcome of which remains uncertain.
At Nelson Fernández Stadium, the Huracanes de Mayabeque struck first against the Cocodrilos de Matanzas in the doubleheader, winning 7-6 with an 11-hit offensive display and defense that shut down the defense in crucial moments.
Jeison Martínez, unhittable at the plate (3-for-4), and Frank Alfonso (1-for-3) led the way with home runs, while Rafael de Jesús Álvarez responded with one for Matanzas in a relentless contest.
Wilber Reyna pitched a flawless 3.1 innings, allowing just one hit, before Héctor Bermúdez secured the save, leaving José Carlos Quesada’s seven-inning start unrewarded.
The second game saw a dramatic turn of events with an offensive onslaught from Matanzas, who racked up 14 runs and 18 hits, including two home runs by José Amaury Noroña and another by Eduardo Blanco.
Luis Manuel Hernández earned the win despite allowing five runs in 1.2 innings, while Kendry Hernández took the loss after surrendering seven runs in 3.1 innings. Frederich Cepeda also made his mark in the game with his 395th career home run in national championships.
At the 26 de Julio stadium, Artemisa stunned league-leading Industriales with a 13-11 victory, fueled by an explosive seven-run third inning that turned the game around.
Between walks, a hit-by-pitch, an error, and six hits—including Dayan García’s RBI double and Juan Manuel Pérez’s grand slam—the Cazadores built a lead they then fiercely defended.
Pérez punished them again in the fifth with another home run off Misael Fonseca, followed by one from Lázaro Fernández, in an offensive outburst that left the capital’s team, who woke up too late, with no room to respond.
Geonel Gutiérrez held the lead with five innings, allowing three runs, one on a home run by Yaser Julio González, while Roberto Álvarez hit a home run for Industriales in a six-run seventh inning that fell short.
José Ángel García retired the final batter to earn the save, as the Blues threatened to tie the game in the ninth inning.
At Calixto García Stadium, Holguín defeated Las Tunas 13-10 in a battle of playoff teams, closing the gap dangerously in the standings after an offensive explosion where the ball seemed to defy the stadium’s size.
Euclides Pérez and Yasiel González both homered, the latter with his 18th home run of the season, solidifying his lead and extending his record in selective tournaments. On the other side, Yasser Izaguirre, Fernando de la Paz, and Yudier Rondón responded with home runs.
Carlos Santiesteban earned the win despite allowing six runs—five unearned—in five innings, while Andier Reyes took the loss in relief, surrendering three runs in 1.1 innings.
After the day, Industriales (22-16) continues at the top, followed by Las Tunas (20-16), Holguín (21-17), Mayabeque (17-20), Artemisa (16-21) and Matanzas (15-21), in a table where the last ticket continues to be written with a stroke of uncertainty.
