By Orlando Gonzalez.

Havana, July 29 (RHC)-- In a packed Latinoamericano Stadium, the Avispas de Santiago de Cuba defeated the Leones de Industriales with a 7-4 slate, largely thanks to the immense work of Wilber Reyna, who pitched until the eighth inning and allowed only two runs to the Blues.

Reyna, in a conversation with Radio Habana Cuba, after finishing his work in such an important challenge, and when asked about his mental preparation for the game in front of a packed Coloso del Cerro, he told us: "I have been improving my mental preparation year after year. At the beginning it was difficult for me to work, even with less people, but already in the box I don't feel anything; I'm focusing on my own."

The santiagueros jumped ahead on the scoreboard at the beginning of the second inning, taking advantage of the lack of control of the capital's starter Reemberto Barreto, who, with the inning at two out, allowed an indiscutible and granted a pair of tickets before the driving rocket of the first lumber José Luis Gutiérrez. Then, they added another in the next inning.

In the bottom of the third, the Giraldillos were able to even the score thanks to the driving connections of center fielder Alberto Calderón and veteran shortstop Juan Carlos Torriente.

In the fifth, the Avispas scored a decisive three-run run, and added a run in the sixth and another in the seventh inning. 

The Leones scored two runs in the eighth inning, but they were insufficient and, finally, the Santiago Avispas took the victory in the crucial game.

The loss was taken by the talented young Rafael Orlando Perdomo, who has been a mainstay for the Industriales throughout the series, deserving the distinction of Rookie of the Year of the 62nd National Baseball Series, but this Friday could not be done justice.

Now both teams travel to the hot land, with the series 3-2 in favor of Industriales, and next Monday they will play the sixth game. The team from the capital will try to settle the play off, while the eastern side of the island will try to force a seventh and definitive game in their Guillermón Moncada stadium.

Today, the other semifinal is resumed in Tuneras, with a 3-2 advantage for the home team over the Cocodrilos de Matanzas.