Granma thrashed Matanzas (13x6) to come out ahead in the final of the 61st National Baseball Series of Cuba.

Havana, June 18 (RHC)-- With a 17-strikeout attack and effective pitching by Cesar Garcia, Granma thrashed Matanzas by a score of 13 to 6 to come out ahead in the final of the 61st National Baseball Series of Cuba.

In front of more than 10 thousand fans at the Mártires de Barbados stadium, the Alazanes, reigning champions of the Island, showed their power in the offensive rectangles, with catcher Iván Prieto (5-3, 3CI, 1CA, 1K) and shortstop Osvaldo Abreu (3-3, 1CI, 2CA, 1-2B, 1BB), author of a perfect afternoon.

Other standouts at home plate were designated hitter Carlos Benítez (1-1, 2CI, 2CA, 1CA, 3BB, 2BI), starter Guillermo Avilés (4-1,1CI, 2CA, 2BI) and left fielder Pedro Almeida (5-3, 2CI, 1CA).

Flamethrower García came through an uncertain start and overcame other difficult moments to record a quality outing of six chapters, four runs, seven hits, six strikeouts and three tickets, while Kelbys Rodríguez (1JS, 3.0, 2C, 5H, 1K) received a standing ovation for his three innings of work.

For the losing side, starter Renner Rivero (1.2, 5C, 5H, 3BB, 0K) could not hold his own on the mound, exploded in the second act and gave way to a bullpen that also failed to do justice to Andy Quesada, Denis Quesada, Haykel Parra and Naykis Piedra.

Ferrer's team fired 12 hits, including a home run by torpedo Erisbel Arruebarruena (3-2, 2CI, 1CA, 1HR, 1K) and two per capita by Yadil Mujica (4-2, 1CA) and Ariel Sanchez (5-2, 2CI, 1CA).

Both teams, last season's finalists, will clash again this Saturday in Bayamo from 14:00 local time and a pitchers' duel is expected between Granma's Leandro Martínez and the visiting Dariel Góngora.

RESULT

Matanzas 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 2 6 12 1

Granma 0 5 0 1 2 0 5 0 - 13 17 1

Wins: César García

Lost: Renner Rivero

Home Run: Erisbel Arruebarena