BASEBALL ROOSTERS

Another excellent performance by Matanzas Jorge Alberto Martinez led his team to semis in the West region by defeating 4×3 Sancti Spiritus Roosters, a squad eliminated once more in these key phase of the Cuban baseball seasons.»

With a knockout victory (11×1), Sancti Spiritus has Matanzas up against the walls and achieved the third victory in the seven-game playoff of the West zone in the 51st Cuban baseball national season.»

Roosters Ismel Jimenez, pitcher with most wins in the current season, and Eriel Sanchez’s grand slam were key in Sancti Spiritus victory over “sensational” team in the tournament, the Crocodiles.»

The Victoria de Giron Stadium may literally explode on Tuesday night (8:30 pm, local time) when Sancti Spiritus Roosters and Matanzas Crocodiles face for the first time ever in the history of Cuban baseball playoffs.»

A nine-run rally in the second inning gave victory to Sancti Spiritus Roosters and put off Granma’s expectations to fight for a playoff ticket while ensuring Roosters and Orangemen a place for the best 8 teams in the 51st Cuban baseball national season.»

Ismel Jimenez was key in his team’s victory vs. Granma, the most powerful team in Cuban baseball. Roosters’ hurler managed to reduce their offensive to two hits while striking out 10 men. This was Ismel’s 17 win, leader in the tournament.»

With victory 4×3 over la Isla de la Juventud, Sancti Spiritus pitcher Ismel Jimenez reaffirmed as the hurler with most wins in the current Cuban baseball national season, while setting a record of games started and triumphs for Sancti Spiritus province.»

In order to consolidate their 4th position in the West, and thus, the ticket to play off, Sancti Spiritus Roosters will face Camaguey as visitors during Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the Candido Gonzalez Stadium.»

The team is to begin benefiting from injured arrivals, like the case of first baseman Yunier Mendoza, who will incorporate in the subseries to be held vs. Camaguey from Tuesday to Thursday. The rest of the hurt players will integrate in the coming weeks.»

With key performances of ace Ismel Jimenez and 4th batter Yenier Bello, Sancti Spiritus managed to defeat Cienfuegos 3×2 on Wednesday and thus won the three-game series 2×1 while tying the general 3-3.»