Havana Cools Pinar, Up 3-2

HAVANA TIMES, May 24 — The fifth game of Cuba’s Eastern Division Championship series between Ciego de Avila and Villa Clara was postponed Saturday due to rain in the second inning with the score 0-0. An attempt to play on Sunday was also suspended in the top of the fifth with Ciego ahead 1-0 on a homer by Yorelvis Charles. Villa Clara leads the best-of-seven series three games to one.

In the West, Pinar de Rio, the home team, saw its series hopes dwindle losing a 6-1 game to Havana Province’s patented pitching, this time from starter Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez and reliever Miguel Lahera. Veteran Pedro Luis Lazo failed in his the second consecutive attempt to reach 250 victories in Cuban baseball. Lazo took the loss allowing all six Havana runs and Pinar now finds itself down three games to two.

Ernesto Molinet had a three-run homer and Juan Carlos Linares a solo blast for Havana. Reinier Leon homered in the sixth to account for Pinar del Rio’s only run.

The Pinar-Havana series now shifts to Havana’s stadium in San Jose de Las Lajas, on the outskirts of the Cuban capital for game six at 8:00 p.m. on Monday. Gerardo Miranda is expected to get the nod for Havana vs. Vladimir Baños for Pinar del Rio.

Ciego de Avila and Villa Clara will also give it a third try at completing their game five on Monday starting at 5:00 p.m.