The Avispas de Santiago de Cuba knocked out the Leñadores de Las Tunas (12x2) and consolidated themselves at the top of the 61st Cuban National Baseball Series.

Havana, February 17 (RHC/PL)-- The Avispas de Santiago de Cuba knocked out the Leñadores de Las Tunas (12x2) and consolidated themselves at the top of the 61st Cuban National Baseball Series.

Manager Eriberto Rosales' team extended its winning pace on Wednesday with an overwhelming offense and a pitching capable of dominating without problems a lineup that never deciphered the spell of right-handed pitcher Alberto Bicet (4-0).

After six innings and one third, Bicet successfully defended his undefeated condition, allowing two runs -one clean- and five hits, in addition to striking out a couple of opponents and only giving out one ticket in front of his home crowd at the Guillermón Moncada stadium.

The spell was accompanied by 14 hits, with highlights for Manuel Pérez (3-2, 1CA), Yoelkis Guibert (4-2, 2CI, 2CA, 1HR), Adriel Labrada (3-2, 1CI, 1CA), Dasiel Sevila (3-2, 2CI, 2CA) and Nelson Batista (4-2, 3CI, 1CA, 2-2B).

Similarly, Artemisa beat Mayabeque 11x4, Matanzas 4x2 to Pinar del Río, Isla de la Juventud 6x1 to Cienfuegos, Holguín 6x4 to Ciego de Avila and Granma 4x1 to Sancti Spíritus.

In the rest of the actions, Camagüey left Guantánamo (9x5), while Industriales and Villa Clara sealed their match with a three-way tie on the scoreboard. These teams will close the match on Thursday and then will play a second game at the Augusto César Sandino Park.

Santiago (15-4) dominates the standings ahead of Matanzas (11-5), Mayabeque (10-6), Industriales (9-6), Sancti Spiritus (9-7), Ciego de Avila (9-8), Pinar del Rio (9-8) and Granma (9-8) in the remaining seats that grant tickets to the playoffs.

Behind them are Artemisa (8-8), Isla de la Juventud (9-9), Villa Clara (7-8), Camagüey (7-10), Cienfuegos (6-11), Las Tunas (6-11), Guantánamo (6-11) and Holguín (5-12).