Granma seeks to extend winning streak in Cuban baseba

Havana, February 9 (RHC)-- The reigning champions Granma will try to extend their positive streak today against Mayabeque in order to keep a place among the top eight in the current Cuban baseball season.

Home at the Mártires de Barbados stadium, the Alazanes de Granma will try to repeat their success over Mayabeque, and their last two victories consolidated them in sixth place in the standings with six wins and five losses.

Yesterday, left-hander Leandro Martínez (6-INN, 4-H, 1-CL, 1-BB, 2-K) led the Alazanes to a 4-1 victory over the Huracanes de Mayabeque, supported by Kelbis Rodríguez (3-INN, 1-H, 2-K, 0-CL) and a 10-run offense.

Another team with two wins in a row, Villa Clara (6-4) defeated top-ranked Santiago de Cuba (8-3) 9-4 thanks to the leadership of right-hander Javier Mirabal (7-INN, 6-H, 3-K, 4-CL, 1-BB) and two-run homers for Leandro Turiño (5-1, 1-HR, 1-CA, 2-CI) and Cristián Rodríguez (4-2, 2-H, 1-HR, 2-CA, 2-CI).

Industriales (5-5) got back on the winning track by beating Ciego de Avila (7-4) 9-8, which threatened with two runs in the ninth in a game with no hits out of bounds and 11 tickets between the two teams.

In Tuesday's other challenges, Isla de la Juventud (6-5) defeated Sancti Spíritus (4-6) 8-6, Artemisa (5-5) overcame Camagüey (3-8) 5-1, Las Tunas (5-6) edged Pinar del Río (5-6) 7-4, Guantánamo (4-7) caused Cienfuegos (4-7) its third successive setback, this time 9-2.

Meanwhile, Matanzas (6-3) and Holguín (3-7) sealed in 11 chapters after an 11-run tie.

The fifth sub-series of the National Series will conclude tomorrow; in a regular schedule of 75 games and which gives access to the best eight teams to the post-season.