First roar from Leones in Semifinal of the 64th National Baseball Series

Havana, Feb 5. – The Industriales Lionsshook off their offensive lethargy after two consecutive defeats and today secured their first victory against the Matanzas Crocodiles(7-1), in the semifinal of the 64th National Baseball Series.

Before a notable crowd that gave them support at the EstadioLatinoamericano, the team of manager Guillermo Carmona capitalized on an error, combined with a hit-by-pitch, a walk, and a pair of hits, to score a decisive three-run cluster in the second inning.

And in the fifth inning, the felines produced a four-run cluster with home runs from YasmaniTomás and Yaser Julio González, both with a runner on base.

He was only scored on once by a solo home run from Andrys Pérez.

With a comfortable 7-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning, Carmona pulled Barreto from the mound and utilized Rafael Orlando Perdomo, Frank Herrera, and Jordan William Bustamante in relief roles, without exceeding the number of pitches stipulated in the competitive regulations, in order to be able to use them this Thursday.

This was the first setback for the crocodiles in the postseason, after six consecutive victories, having swept the Sancti Spíritus Roosters4-0 and having won two against the capital blues.

This Thursday, the lions and the saurians will play the fourth game at the same Cerro coliseum, with the young pitchers Shaiel Cruz (MTZ) and Lee Andy Plumas (IND) scheduled to take the mound.

The third game of the semifinal between the visiting reigning champion Las Tunas Lumberjacks and the ArtemisaHunters will also take place at the 26 de Julio park.

Rubén Rodríguez will start for Las Tunas team, which leads the standings (2-0), while the returning YunieskiGarcía will start for Artemisa. (Text and photo: JIT)