Matanzas extends winning streak to 6 in Cuban baseball

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 22 (acn) Matanzas scored its sixth victory in line when beating 5-0 the leader Pinar del Río to climb to second seat of the standings at just one game of the top in Cuban baseball championship.

Jonder Martinez allowed only two hits in eight innings and reached his 11th win of the season, and was offensively backed up mainly outfielder Ariel Sánchez, who hit 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs.
Pinar del Rio continues on top of the domestic baseball classic with balance of 48 wins and 27 losses, one game ahead of Matanzas (47-28) and Ciego de Avila (48-29), team that maintained its downward trend when losing for the sixth consecutive day.
Granma defeated Ciego de Avila 9-1, with the lefty Leandro Martínez as winner and save to the account of Jose Armando Peña, while Guillermo Avilés hit 2 for 4, including a triple and three RBIs.
Industriales remained firm in fourth spot in the standings after winning 5-4 over Isla de la Juventud, with two RBIs to the account of catcher Frank Camilo Morejón and solid pitching performance by veteran Norberto Gonzalez, who allowed three hits and one earned run in six innings.
Finally, Holguin beat 8-5 Las Tunas, with Yordan Manduley hitt ing 3 for with two doubles and one RBI; while Walnier Osorio was awarded the win, supported by save of Carlos A. Leon.
When only eight games left to close the regular season, without counting the pending games, Pinar del Río (48-27) leads the National Baseball Series, escorted by Matanzas (47-28), Ciego de Avila (48-29) , Industriales (46-32), Holguin (43-35), Las Tunas (40-38), Isla de la Juventud (38-38) and Granma (39-40).