Matanzas Takes Revenge on Industriales in Serie Nacional

HAVANA, Cuba, Jan 14 (acn) Matanzas took revenge on Cuban baseball championship by beating Industriales 7-1 to consolidate itself on top of the standings with 37 wins and only 16 losses.

The lefty Cionel Perez starred a quality start for the cause of the current runners up by allowing just one hit and one earned run in five innings of work, although the success corresponded to relief pitcher Adrian Sosa, who was perfect from the mound for two innings.
The Matanzas Crocodiles´ best batter was third baseman Jefferson Delgado, who hit 2 for 3 with an RBI in the match.
Granma walk off 7-6 Artemisa thanks to Yaciel Jiménez´s hit off defeated pitcher Israel Sanchez.
The veteran reliever Ciro Silvino Licea took the win and first baseman Yordanis Samon hit 2 for 5 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI was the most outstanding batter for the winners, while Danel Castro went 3 for 4 with a homer and four RBIs for the cause of the defeated squad.
Isla de la Juventud achieved its second straight victory as host by knocking out 12-2 Holguin with effective work by the opener Ulfrido García, supported by an attack of 13 hits that was led by first baseman Rigoberto Gomez, 3 for 4 with a double and two RBIs.
Finally, Holguín beat 6-4 Pinar del Río, with Carlos Santiesteban earning his 6th win of the season by allowing five hits and two earned runs in seven innings, while the defeat went to the ace pitcher Freddy Asiel Álvarez.
Edilse Silva commanded the Holguin Hounds´ offense by hitting 3 for 4 with a homer and two RBIs, while Donal Duarte, Dennis Laza and Andres Quiala homered for the cause of the current national monarchs.
After these results Matanzas (37-16) remains comfortably on top of the standings, escorted by Granma (33-20), Industriales (30-23), Isla de la Juventud (29-24), Pinar del Río (29- 24), Artemisa (28-25), Ciego de Ávila (28-25) and Holguin (26-27).