Ariel Martínez hit his fifth home run of the campaign this Thursday and a double in four at-bats, while also driving in all of Nippon Ham’s runs in their 9-3 defeat s against the Orix Buffaloes at Es Con Field in Hokkaido .
The native of Matanzas,Cuba had not gone yard since May 10 raised his average to .248 and his total RBIs to 25. Martínez is the leader amongst Cuban in the All-Star balloting in the NPB.
Andy Martín will make his debut in the BCL with the Ibaraki Astro Planets tomorrow. The highly touted and toolsy outfielder will see action for the first time in a summer professional league.
Cuban action on the day:
NPB:
Ariel Martínez (NH) 4-2,HR,2B,3RBI,R
Frank Abel Álvarez (CD) 2.0IP,2H,ER, 3K**
Christian Rodríguez (CD) 3-0**
Carlos Moiner (CD) 1-0**
KBO:
Guillermo Heredia (SSG) 4-1
CPBL:
No Cuban action on the day