The Leñadores de Las Tunas once again turned on their lumber and beat Industriales 5-3, getting dangerously close to the lead in the III Elite Cuban Baseball League.

It was the sixth straight win for the Tuneros over the Blues this season, just as the Tigres de Ciego de Avila stumbled, leaving the throne just a step away for the green-and-reds.

Two early two-run homers by Yosvani Alarcón and Jean Lucas Baldoquín put a name to the game in the first inning, against an Andy Vargas who could not find an answer.

Industriales, although they had 16 hits, failed to capitalise, leaving 18 runners on base, including the 11 left by Yosvani Peñalver, who was erratic three times with the bases loaded.

Alejandro Meneses earned the win with five solid innings and one run allowed, while Alberto Pablo Civil stole the show with a two-inning relief performance, getting outs in hot situations.

At Cepero, the Wasps stung hard and shocked the Tigers 12-8. Danny Betancourt, a veteran of a thousand battles, got the win despite suffering six clean sheets, and Sotolongo secured the win.

Eduardo García and Edilse Silva led the Santiago offence, while Ronaldo Castillo blew the fence for the Avileños.

Meanwhile, in Pinar, the Vegueros continued their winning streak with an 8-4 win over the Alazanes. Tailon Sanchez and Yadiel Guerra led the attack with two hits each, and Jose Angel Garcia earned his seventh save, reaffirming his dominance on the mound.

Thus, Ciego remains first (17-9), but feels the breath of Las Tunas (12-6) close behind. Behind them are Industriales (14-16), Santiago de Cuba (12-14), Pinar (13-17) and Granma (10-16).