HAVANA.- With his powerful and effective swing, Cuban Yurisbel Gracial appears today as the most effective hitter of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, franchise of the Pacific League in the Japanese Professional Baseball League (NPB).

Last night, Gracial, who was recently promoted from the Hawks' farm system to the first team and has so far played 21 games, was essential in the 12-8 win of his squad over the Saitama Seibu Lions, leader of the Pacific League (PL), when batting 3 for 6, including a home run, four RBIs and three runs scored.

The Cuban utility is being used as infielder and his stats have been decisive in the latest wins of his team.

Two days ago, he hit 2 for 4 with in the 3-2 victory also over the Lions, and last Wednesday he blasted two homers and batted in five runs in the 9-6 win over the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

In this moment, Gracial has batting average of .362 (25 hits in 69 at bats), with two doubles, four homers and 13 RBIs.

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, franchise in which also play Cubans Alfredo Despaigne (OF/DH), Livan Moinelo (LHP) and switch-hitter Oscar Colas, the latter is in the farm system, appear second in the standings of the PL with 59 wins and 49 losses, only behind the Lions (65-45) and ahead the Fighters (59-51), in that order.

Despaigne, who was last season PL homerun and RBI leader with 35 and 103, respectively, now has BA of .238 (82 hits in 344 AB), including 25 home runs and 62 RBIs.