Pinar del Río beat Ciego de Ávila 6×2 today and took advantage of the defeat of the hitherto leader Las Tunas to retake the lead in the 63rd National Baseball Series.

Both teams have turned the top of the standings into an uncontrollable «cachumbambé». Something like a «take you off to put me on». Neither wants to give in and that, without a doubt, fills the championship with expectations as it settles its tenth particular sub-series.

The Vegueros from Pinar del Río now have an average of .689 (31-14), higher than the .675 average of the monarchs Leñadores Tuneros (27-13 and five games suspended), who enjoy a game and a half advantage.

In the duel against the Tigres de Ciego de Avila, the vueltabajeros did not believe the crowd against them and hit 13 hits, including a home run by catcher Yasiel Agete. Fifth win for rookie left-hander Randy Martínez, who scattered six hits in 6.0 innings.

For the winners, former major leaguer Alexei Ramirez drove in two runs to consolidate his lead (54).

And at their home park, José Antonio Huelga, the Gallos espirituanos went to bat and did not stop until they completed a whopping 19 hits to beat Las Tunas 10×5 and stop a streak of three successive victories.

The team that benefited the most on the day was Granma, who knocked out Cienfuegos 17×0, supported by three home runs. One of those hits found the bases loaded and went to Guillermo Avilés, who closed the game with five runs.

Experienced left-hander Leandro Martínez scored his fifth hit.

Granma has scored 40 runs against Cienfuegos’ pitching in the first three games.

In another result, Villa Clara won the doubleheader against Isla de la Juventud, with scores of 7×0 and 5×4. Despite the sweep, the sugar bowls from the centre of the country left 25 runners on the pads, both games combined.

In addition, Mayabeque beat Guantánamo 6×4, Holguín 6×3 against Industriales and Matanzas 11×4 against Santiago de Cuba, with a home run and five runs batted in by Yumurino Eduardo Blanco.