Osday Silva

Havana, May 19 (ACN) - Santiago de Cuba defeated twice the runner-up Guantanamo and propped itself at the top of the National Baseball Series, which is going through its tenth particular sub-series.

The Avispas had to play a seven-inning doubleheader. In the first game they left the Indios del Guaso on the field 3x2 with a golden jit by torpedero Maikol Poll.

In the second game they won 8x0 with excellent work by right-hander Wilber Reyna, who got his fourth win by pitching six innings with seven strikeouts and only four hits. Among the Wasps' 14 singles were two by Osday Silva, who drove in two runs and extended his lead to 61.

In another duel of the day, Ciego de Avila won 4x3 against the national runner-up Matanzas with the smile of reliever Yunier Batista and the eleventh save of closer Vladimir García, leader in that category.

For the Tigres, the batting was outstanding, with the torpedo Michel Arteaga, 4-2 with a pair of runs.

Artemisa defeated La Isla 9x7, in a game where the re-appeared outfielder Osmel Solano hit 5-3 and drove in two runs for the Cazadores de Artemisa of the debutant mentor Yulieski González. Fourth success for reliever Israel Sánchez and third save point for the experienced José Ángel García, historical leader in that vital department.

The Vegueros from Pinar del Río beat Mayabeque 9x1 and broke the streak of six successive victories. Las Tunas overcame 5x4 to the monarch Granma, Cienfuegos 8x5 to Sancti Spíritus and Villa Clara and Camagüey divided honors.

First the Azucareros won 9x0 and then the Toros won 7x2. Industriales and Holguin were suspended due to rain and will play a double game this Friday.