Lisbel Díaz collected three hits in five at-bats and knocked two runs via a tenth two-run bomb to lead Carolina to a 5-3 extra innings victory over the Leones de Ponce. The outfielder from Pinar del Río now hits a robust .556 and has now also driven in six runs in his short time in the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente.
In the LIDOM Vladimir Gutierrez was impeccable on the mound once again and although he did not factor in the decision the Cuban hurler tossed five innings of four hit, one run ball during Licey’s 8-3 win over the Gigantes del Cibao. The right-hander also fanned two to up his league lead to 19 and also sports a 2.84 earned run average on the campaign.
In the Liga Mexicana del Pacífico, Albert Lara continues to swing a hot bat. The Cuban infielder swatted two doubles in four trips to the plate including a fifth inning run-scoring double to do his part in the Guasave 6-0 blanking of the Naranjeros de Hermosillo in their first game of a doubleheader. In the second game Lara also homered, a two-run shot in a Algodoneros 4-1 win over Hermosillo and saw his average rise to .325 on the season. The native of Matanzas, Cuba has now homered four times and driven in 11 runs on the campaign.
In the LVBP Sandy Gastón notched his third save of the season after tossing a scoreless ninth inning during which he fanned two of the three batters he faced to secure a Leones del Caracas 5-2 win over the Tigres de Aragua. The righty from Ciego de Ávila saw his earned run average descend to 3.09 on the year in the Venezuelan League.
Cuban action on the night:
LBPRC:
Lisbel Díaz (GC): 5-3,2B,HR,2RBI,2R (.556)
LIDOM:
Richard Guasch (GC): 1.0IP,0H,0ER,2K (2.70)
Vladimir Gutierrez (TL): 5.0IP,4H,ER,2K,2BB (2.84)
JC Escarra (AC): 3-1,RBI,2R (.157)*
Raynel Delgado (AC): 5-2,R (.250)
Andy Ibáñez (LE): 3-1 (.275)
César Prieto (EO): 5-0 (.270)
LMP:
Víctor Labrada (GSV): 4-0 (.243)**
Albert Lara (GSV): 5-3,HR,2 (2B),3RBI,2R (.320)**
Yadir Drake (MXC): 4-2,RBI (.322)
Yurisbel Gracial (LM): 3-0 (.284)
Yoán López (LM): 1.0IP,0H,0ER (4.50)
Julio Pablo Martínez (CUL): 4-1,R (.295)
Orlando Martínez (CUL): 4-3,2B,RBI,R (.361)
Odrisamer Despaigne (CO): 6.0IP,5H,ER,7K, 4BB (2.15)
LVBP:
Sandy Gastón (CAR): 1.0IP,0H,0ER,2K (3.09)
Rangel Ravelo (LAR): 4-1,RBI (.323)