Sancti Spíritus celebrates

Havana, June 20 (JIT) - The Sancti Spíritus team defeated Matanzas 10x1 and reached 40 hits, a figure that assures its pass to the postseason in Cuban baseball.

In the first day of recovery of the 36 games suspended or sealed during the regular calendar concluded last Saturday, the Gallos were confirmed in the playoffs for the third consecutive year.

Starter José Isaías Grandales (6.0 IP, 7H, 2K 1 BB) signed his eighth win of the campaign, while Yanielquis Duardo remained alone as leader in games saved with 15, after dominating the last third of the game without difficulties.

With the ticket assigned to the Gallos, four vacancies remain for the quarterfinals scheduled to be held upon the return of the national team from the Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador.

Although two places are practically already in the hands of Matanzas and Artemisa, which could not complete its first play-off ticket today after losing to Mayabeque by 4x5.

The Huracanes are experiencing a last minute reaction with three consecutive victories, the last one this Monday against the Cazadores to return to the qualification zone.

A home run by Frank Alfonso in the seventh inning with two men on the field turned the scoreboard upside down, a result that keeps the Artemisians, who in the past 11 seasons have never reached the playoffs for the medals, on hold.

With one more win in four pending opportunities, the team led by former pitcher Yulieski González will fulfill its first commitment to the fans.

Although remote, Leopardos de Villa Clara kept their hopes of surviving the regular schedule after beating Guantánamo 6-1 and evened their balance at 37-37 with one game left.

The day is completed with the afternoon games between Santiago de Cuba-Ciego de Avila and Cienfuegos-Granma.

The organizers of the championship informed the recovery program for the first three days and clarified that only the games that decide the classification will be played.