Villa Clara and Matanzas split in double-header in Cuban baseball

HAVANA, Cuba, Dec 6 (acn) Villa Clara won the first game and lost the second one in the resume of the second stage of the Cuban Baseball Championship after conclusion of the mourning decreed by the death of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro.

The Oranges beat 9-2 Matanzas with excellent pitching performance by Yosvani Torres, who only allowed two earned runs and 8 hits in seven innings, while the loss went to Yoanni Yera who could only pitch a third of inning.

First baseman Norel Gonzalez homered twice and drove in four runs for the winners and Yordanis Samon, Matanzas´ DH, entered the top ten of doubles in Cuban National Series and now totals 300. The list is headed by Michel Enriquez (413).

The Crocodiles took revenge at second hour, mainly supported on the work of starting right hander Frank Monthiet, who earned the win, and two other relievers who all combined themselves to pitch a 5-0 shutout.

Meanwhile, at Jose Ramon Cepero Stadium, the ace right hander Vladimir Garcia achieved his second 1-0 loss of the season when Granma defeated Ciego de Avila, current champion in the first match of the day.

Lazaro Blanco reached his 11th win of the season and Miguel Lahera earned the save.

In the second game Dachel Duquesne starred a solid pitching performance and claimed a 5-1 victory for the Tigers.

Outfielder Eliecer Griñan offensively shone for the winning side with two RBIs.
Finally, Holguin took advantage of its home club status and won twice, 6-3 and 9-4, over Camaguey, thus sending the Bulls to the bottom of the standings.

Carlos Santiesteban and Noelvis Entenza took the wins, while Yunior Paumier, twice, and Jose Castañeda homered for the winners in the first match; Lionel Segura also hit a homer for the losing side.