Alfredo Despaigne hit 4-4 with a double, three singles and an equal number of RBIs in the SoftBank Falcons' 6-1 win over the Seibu Lions

Havana, August 26 (RHC/JIT)-- Cuban Alfredo Despaigne hit 4-4 with a double, three singles and an equal number of RBIs in the SoftBank Falcons' 6-1 win over the Seibu Lions at the MetLife Dome in Tokorozawa on Wednesday.

The Granma-born slugger, who totaled three hits in a single game for the first time in the 2021 Japanese baseball campaign, raised his average to .239 and his tow total to 12.

Teammate Dariel Álvarez singled in four visits to the plate and drove in a run to improve his average to .217.

In another game of the day, Matanzas' Ariel Martínez had one hit in four innings and scored once in a nine-inning three-run tie between his Chunichi Dragons and the Yakult Swallows at the Kusanagi Stadium in Shizuoka. His average dropped to .316.

His teammate Dayán Viciedo missed one opportunity, but received two tickets and scored one run to leave his average at .289. Raidel Martínez pitched a perfect inning of relief to reduce his effectiveness to 0.98.

At Rakuten Seimei Park, Sendai, Rusney Castillo failed in a relief appearance in a nine-inning two-run tie between the Rakuten Eagles and the Orix Buffaloes. His average fell to .240.

In the remaining game, Adeiny Hechavarría only saw action defensively in the Lotte Marinos' 7x4 win over the Nippon Ham Fighters at the Sapporo Dome. His average remained at .212.

In the Central League, a fierce battle for the top spot continues between the Hanshin Tigers (54-38-3), Yomiuri Giants (49-35-11) and Yakult Swallows (46-34-10). Chunichi is fourth (36-48-13), 14 games back.

In the Pacific League, the Orix Buffaloes (47-36-12) lead over the Rakuten Eagles (44-39-13) and Lotte Mariners (42-38-14). The reigning Japan Series champions, the Falcons, are fourth with 42-39-16.