HAVANA, (ACN) In a hard-fought match,Villa Clara beat 3-2 Holguin at Calixto Garcia Stadium in the first game of the fourth subseries of the second stage of the 56th Cuban Baseball Championship.

Reliever Ronny Valdés, now with balance on 2 wins and 3 losses, was the winner while Livan Moinelo (8-7) took the loss. Meanwhile, at Jose Ramon Cepero ballpark, Camaguey defeated 1-0 Ciego de Avila, with win for Arbelio Quiroz (5-6) and loss to Vladimir Garcia (10-3), while Yariel Rodríguez earned his second save of the season.

Despite losing, Vladimir Garcia achieved 10 strikeouts, thus totaling 81 and became the leader of that stat, followed by Matanzas´ Yoanni Yera (80).

Finally, Granma won 9-4 over Matanzas, with offensive highlight for first baseman Guillermo Aviles, who hit 4 for 5 with two doubles and three RBIs, and outfielder Dennis Laza, 3 for 5 with four RBIs.

Jonder Martinez (8-2) was the losing pitcher while the win went to lefty Leandro Martínez (8-3), who reached his third win in this stage, leader.

In addition to the victory, those attending Martires de Barbados Park enjoyed the excellent news of the incorporation of slugger Alfredo Despaigne to Granma´s lineup after a brief resting period when returning from Japanese Professional League.

Despaigne acted as DH and cleanup hitter and batted 1 for 2 in his return to Cuban baseball.

Matanzas continues on top of the standings with 47 wins and only 8 losses, escorted by Ciego de Ávila (36-18), Villa Clara (32-22), Granma (32-23), Camagüey (29-26) and Holguín (28-27).