HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 24 (acn) Pinar del Rio defeated Matanzas 6-0 and became the solo leader of the Cuban baseball championship, relegating thus its rival to second seat in the standings.
The winner Yaifredo Dominguez allowed six hits and struck out seven opponents in six innings, supported by the 13th save of lefty Livan Moinelo, while catcher Olber Peña excelled on offense when hitting 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored.
Pinar del Rio took thus an almost decisive step towards qualifying for the playoffs and again tops the standing with 49 wins and 28 losses, a game ahead of Matanzas (48-29) and Ciego de Avila ( 49 -30), team that lost 7-3 to Granma .
Eriel Sanchez hit 2 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs to lead Granma´s offensive, seconded by Yordanis Samon, 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs in a match won by rookie Joel Mojena.
Industriales consolidated itself in fourth spot with a 7-3 victory over Isla de la Juventud, completing thus the sweep in the subseries, with triumph to the account of Yamichel Perez and offensive highlight for veteran Alexander Malleta, who hit a homer and drove in two runs.
Finally, outfielders Yohandry Urgellés and Reutilio Hurtado both homered to lead Holguin to a 12-9 victory over Las Tunas, with debutant Javier Lopez as winner.
With only six games to close the regular season, not counting the pending games, Pinar del Río (49-28), Matanzas (48-29), Ciego de Avila (49-30) and Industriales (48-32) h ave practically assured their presence in postseason.
Holguin (44-36) still has little math options to access the decisive stage of the championship, while Las Tunas (41-39), Granma (40-41) and Isla de la Juventud (38-40) have no chances to qualify to the playoffs.
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