Las Tunas wins first of best of three games to qualify in Cuban baseball

HAVANA, Cuba, Oct 17 (acn) Las Tunas defeated 2-0 Camagüey in the first match of the best-of-three playoff for one of the two remaining tickets to the second round of the Cuban baseball championship.

The Woodcutters had the outstanding pitching performance of veteran Yoalkis Cruz, who earned the win by allowing seven hits and striking out four opponents in seven innings of work, supported by solid relief of lefty Yudiel Rodriguez .
Catcher Rafael Viñales hit 2 for 3 with two doubles and a run scored to lead the offensive of the winners, seconded by second baseman Ernesto Lalana, 2 for 3 with an RBI.
Jose Ramon Rodriguez, Camagüey starting pitcher, surrendered five hits and one earned run, besides giving away three walks in two and two thirds innings, and took the loss.
Actions are now moved to Cándido González Park, where Camagüey will try to exploit its local status to search the tie next Tuesday and extend the series to a third and decisive match.
The other playoffs series to define the sixth qualified side to the second round starts today where Holguin will visit the Isla de la Juventud.
The Pirates will return the visit to the Hounds on October 20 and 21, if the series is extended to a third match.
Matanzas, with 42 wins and 3 losses, Ciego de Avila (29-16), Villa Clara (27-18) and Granma (27-18) occupied the first four seats in the standings and advanced directly to the next phase.