Despite leaving 12 runners in circulation, Santiago de Cuba defeated Matanzas 6-4 at its Guillermón Moncada stadium and remained alone at the top of the 62nd National Baseball Series, which is in its twelfth particular subseries.The Avispas now have a 33-23 record and are 1.5 games behind Mayabeque (31-24), their closest rival, which today lost twice to Las Tunas, away at Julio Antonio Mella Park, in seven-inning games.
Earlier in the day, the Leñadores Tunas won 3-0, supported by the arm of right-hander Alejandro Meneses, who in 6.0 innings allowed only four singles. The eleventh save for the now leader Pablo Alberto Civil, who pitched an inning without blemish, Yosvani Alarcón hit 4-3 and towed one.
In the closing game, the Leñadores won 10-3. The incombustible Danel Castro hit 4-2 with a home run and four runs to the plate. Kenier Ferraz, who pitched a solid 5.2 innings of relief with two hits, won the game.
But the highlight of the day was the zero-hit, zero-run game by 22-year-old rookie right-hander Osdany Rodríguez, who led Villa Clara to a 7-0 victory over Sancti Spíritus at its César Sandino stadium.
The right-hander from Santa Clara had very bad control, giving out eight tickets, but he gave an equal number of strikeouts and thus solved the tribulations. This is the 65th game in a national series in which a pitcher did not allow a hit or a run.
In addition, Artemisa beat Holguín 6-5 in a game that counted 32 runners left on base: 19 by the northeastern Cubs -the worst so far in the tournament-, and 13 by the Cazadores.
In other results, Industriales defeated Pinar del Río 8-2, Ciego de Ávila 8-5 against Guantánamo, and Granma gave a 15-2 knockout to Cienfuegos. The game between the Isle of Youth and Camagüey was sealed.
