Havana, November 30 (RHC) - The leaders Industriales and Sancti Spíritus fell in the most recent date of Cuban baseball, although they maintained their privileged positions in the standings.
Both teams are now 11-8, although the Leones of the capital are ahead by winning the series against the Gallos espirituanos 3-1.
The Espirituanos lost 8-0 to Matanzas, which had Haikel Parra's third win of the tournament and José Noroña's three-run home run.
Industriales, meanwhile, succumbed to Artemisa 7-0, in a game in which right-hander Erlys Casanova, who struck out seven in the same number of innings, was once again outstanding so far in the championship.
Now, the right-hander from Pinar, who reinforces Artemisa, accumulates 20 innings pitched without allowing clean innings and has struck out 17 opponents.
In addition, he reached 99 victories in Cuban baseball and surpassed the figure of 1000 strikeouts (1001).
On offense, the experienced Denis Laza (4-3, with a home run and five RBIs) led the batters with 444. Andy Cosme hit another home run.
The day was completed with the 8-4 victory of Las Tunas against Santiago de Cuba, in a match in which left-hander Dariel Góngora pitched six innings and signed his fourth hit of the tournament without defeats.
He now shares the lead in that box with Ariel Zerquera of Espiritu and Industriales' Reemberto Barreto.
After Wednesday's results Industriales and Sancti Spíritus appear hugged at the top with 11-8, followed by Artemisa and Matanzas 10-9, Las Tunas 9-10, and Santiago 6-13.
