Holguin takes the Lead in Qualifying Playoff

HAVANA, Cuba, Oct 18 (acn) Holguin took an almost decisive advantage in the playoff series for qualification to the second round of the Cuban baseball championship in its 56th edition when beating 5-4 Isla de la Juventud.

Carlos Santiesteban earned the win by allowing three hits in six innings and two thirds of work, supported by solid relief of closer Yunier Suarez, while lefty Wilber Pérez took the loss when surrendering five hits and three earned runs in three and one third innings.
Shortstop Luis Raul Dominguez hit a double and drove in three runs to lead the offensive of the winners, while Leonardo Urgellés hit 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs for the losing side.
Holguin reached an important win as visitors at Cristobal Labra Stadium, and now they only need to achieve a win in one of the two games to be held at Calixto García Park, October 20 and 21, the latter if necessary.
Today, in the other qualifying playoff to the second round, Camagüey will seek to take advantage of their local status to tie with Las Tunas, which won 2-0 the first game of this series.
The teams of Matanzas (42-3), 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.