Havana, June 16 (ACN) - With a good fusion in the three lines of play, Santiago de Cuba defeated Cienfuegos in a double game and took second place in the LXII National Baseball Series, which is in its last particular sub-series.
As visitors at the 5 de Septiembre stadium, the Avispas of the mentor Eddy Cajigal left the southern Elephants 5-4 in the first game, with a golden jit by the emerging Luis Varanes against the reliever Luis Serpa. This was the third victory for the reliever Raúl Pelegrín, who got the last two outs.
In the second inning, veteran Danny Betancourt pitched a complete game and threw a 4-0 shutout with just two hits and three strikeouts. On offense, Songo La Maya's right-hander was supported by young Carlos Monier, who hit 3-2 with a tow. Osday Silva drove in one and now has a team-leading 73.
With this double win, the Avispas (40-27) moved to within half a game of leader Las Tunas (41-27), which split honors with host Sancti Spíritus at José Antonio Huelga Park.
The Leñadores were able to count on the 13th rescue of right-hander Alberto Pablo Civil to win 7-5 in the first hour, supported by the ninth home run of Yosvani Alarcón, who towed three, and by the consistent batting of their torpedo Roberto Baldoquín, who went 3-3 with a double and an RBI.
In the second half, there was a 6-5 comeback for the Gallos, thanks to a five-run rally in the fifth act, thanks to the home run with bases loaded by the incombustible Frederich Cepeda. This was the sixth win for Yanielkis Duardo, who, when added to his 13 points per game saved, has participated in 19 of the 38 Gallos' victories, for a spectacular 50 percent.
In another result of the day, Artemisa defeated Guantánamo 6-1 at the 26 de Julio stadium, thanks to the ninth victory of the tournament for left-hander Geonel Gutiérrez, leader in that department. And Camagüey (34-33) got into the fight for a place in the post-season with its double win against the slumping Mayabeque (4-3, 9-5).
In addition, Villa Clara and Pinar del Río divided honors. First the Azucareros won (5-4) and then the Vegueros (8-7), and Matanzas defeated Industriales 15-5 in the only game they could play. Granma and Ciego de Avila suspended the double game.
