Las Tunas takes its first step toward the top with an 18-5 knockout win over Granma on Wednesday

The Las Tunas Lumberjacks took a first step toward reclaiming the top spot in the Third Cuban Baseball Elite League (III ELCB) with a resounding 18-5 rout of the Granma Alazanes at Julio A. Mella Stadium in Las Tunas.

The seven-inning victory was their first in a four-game series, the final series of the qualifying round of the tournament, which should determine the top two spots heading into the postseason.

For Las Tunas to overtake current leader Ciego de Ávila, the team must win the remaining three games against Granma.

This Wednesday, a powerful 16-hit, 18-run offense propelled the team to an easy victory. The Las Tunas team sealed the game between the second and fourth innings, scoring three, five, and eight runs, respectively, to secure a comfortable 16-5 lead after four innings. The offensive effort included four home runs: a two-run shot by Yunier Rondón, a grand slam by first baseman Lázaro Ponce who overall drove in five runs in the game, a homer by catcher Deismel Hurtado who brought in three runs, and a two-run homer by pinch-hitter Yordan Molina in the sixth inning, completing the team's 18 runs.

Lázaro Ponce hit a grand slam in Las Tunas' victory over Granma on Wednesday. (Lázaro Ponce Instagram photo)

Right-handed pitcher Sammy E. Benítez (4-3) was unable to pitch beyond the third inning, responsible for the first seven runs scored by Las Tunas, with five being earned. Benítez gave up seven hits, including a three-run homer by Hurtado in the second inning and a two-run homer by Rondón in the third.

Granma turned to its bullpen in the third inning to halt the opposing offense, but it was ineffective, as relievers Yurisbel Rivera and Railán Santana gave up an additional nine hits and eleven runs.

Meanwhile, right-hander Albert Valladares, the starter for Las Tunas, also couldn't secure a decision, having allowed five runs by Granma in his 3 1/3 innings on the mound.

In the second inning, Granma took the lead with a four-run inning, which included a two-run homer by Yordanis Samón. The following inning, they added another run by combining three hits. However, when Valladares hit Samón with a pitch in the fourth inning with one out, the home plate umpire, Omar Peralta, immediately ejected Valladares from the game, while Samón continued to complain about being struck.

Ultimately, the ejection turned out to be advantageous for the Las Tunas team. They successfully combined relief efforts from Keniel Ferráz (1 2/3 innings, 2 hits, 1 strikeout, 1 walk), Rodolfo Silva (1 inning, 1 hit), and closer Alberto P. Civil (1 inning, 2 hits, 1 strikeout) to prevent the Granma team from scoring any more runs. Ferráz was credited with the win.

The two teams will face off again this Thursday at 2:00 pm.