HAVANA, CUBA.- The leader Las Tunas knocked out Artemisa 14-2 and remains on top of the standings of the 57th Cuban National Baseball Series Left-hander Yudiel Rodriguez earned his 8th win of the season while DH Danel Castro, who achieved his 2,000th hit the day before, continues on fire when batting 3 for 3, including two doubles and one RBI.

The loss went to ace Vladimir Garcia after allowing seven runs in just 1.1 innings.

Meanwhile, Pinar del Rio managed to break its losing streak of seven consecutive games in this second stage when beating 5-1 Granma mainly thanks to Erly Casanova´s performance who surrendered only four hits and one run in seven innings.

Outfielder Yusniel Ibañez offensively shone by the winners when hitting two doubles and three RBIs.

Finally, with a powerful offensive of 16 hits, Matanzas knocked out Industriales 12-2, thus matching with their victim in the second seat of the standings, and they both appear 2.5 games behind Las Tunas.

 Dachel Duquesne pitched his third complete game of the season and got the win, while the loser José Ramon Rodriguez allowed 14 hits in 4.2 innings, with nine earned runs and four walks.

For the winners there were offensive highlight to Yurisbel Gracial, who hit 3 for 4 with two doubles, one home run and three RBIs; in addition to Yorbis Borroto and Jefferson Delgado, who batted 4 for 5.