CUBA – Lefty Maikel Folch became the first Ciego de Avila pitcher with a complete game shutout in the 49 National Series. He went the distance in a 10-0 victory Wednesday in a shortened eight innings game, allowing only five hits and beating the Sancti Spíritus Roosters.

The Tigers starter was brilliant as he threw a five hit shutout against Sancti Spíritus earning him his third win on the season. Folch (3-0) put on quite a performance showing complete command of his pitches as he dominated the Roosters lineup.

The win gave Folch his 54th career win and 15th career complete game. He threw only 94 pitches in the shutout and routinely threw his fastball right by the Sancti Spíritus hitters and looked as sharp as he ever has in his great career.

In his last three decisions, Folch has all wins and an ERA of 0.39 (1-23.0).

Folch is undefeated this year with a perfect 3-0 record (at home 2-0). The win makes Folch and four other pitchers – starters Ciro Silvino Licea of Granma, Odrisamer Despaigne and Arley Sánchez of Industriales, and closer Yolexis Ulacia of Villa Clara – the only three-game winners this year in the 49 National Series.

The win gave Folch his first complete game shutout of the season while the Tigers are now two games below .500 with a 6-8 record. They remain three games behind the second-place Granma Stallions in the Eastern League of the 2009-2010 National Series.

The best team in the East is the Guantánamo Indians who are at 11-2. Ciego has been playing well after the second week of the tournament and head into the third weekend of the tourney with four wins in their last seven games.

Having a staff ace pitching so well will make the Tigers a tough team to beat in the following series. Folch has been so dominant pitching during the first month of the season that many believe he will have his best season ever.

The left-hander was part of the Cuban National team at the 2009 Baseball World Cup in Europe and ended the tournament with a 0-1 record and a 2.25 ERA.

The Roosters dropped to 9-3 and are now 0.5 games back of the first place Pinar del Río Tobacco Growers in the Western League.

OTHER GAMES:

• CALIXTO GARCIA PARK: Pinar Del Rio 4, Holguin 2
• CRISTOBAL LABRA PARK: Santiago de Cuba 15, Isla de Juventud 3 (7 INN)
• SANTIAGO MEDEROS PARK: Guantanamo 14, Metropolitan 3 (8 INN)
• 5 DE SEPTIEMBRE PARK: Villa Clara 10, Cienfuegos 5
• MARTIRES DE BARBADOS PARK: La Habana 1, Granma 10
• JULIO A. MELLA PARK: Industriales 4, Las Tunas 3

Ray Otero can be reached at: elistas@baseballdecuba.com

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Tags: Cuba