The Las Tunas Lumberjacks came back today against the Artemisa Hunters, winning seven runs to four in a semifinal game of the Cuban National Baseball Series.

In front of their home fans at the Julio Antonio Mella Stadium, the defending champions' offense did not waste opportunities and supported the work of starter Yosmel Garcés and reliever Keniel Ferráz to take the lead in the playoff series.

Key Fifth Inning Turns the Game
The Tuneros took the lead of the game in the fifth inning when they manufactured four runs, erasing an unfavorable 4-2 score, and then added another run in the sixth inning.

Of the 11 hits connected by the Lumberjacks, eight were delivered by the batting order from first to fourth, with a standout performance from their leadoff man Yuniesky Larduet, who batted three hits in five at-bats with one run scored.

The brothers Yosvani and Yordanys Alarcón, third and fourth in the lineup, each connected two singles and drove in one run.

With doubles, third baseman Henry Quintero and second baseman Luis Antonio Pérez drove in two runners each, earning applause from the crowd at the Tunas ballpark.

Solid Pitching Performance Secures Win
From the mound, the staff leader, right-hander Garcés, allowed the four runs by Artemisa (two earned), gave up four hits, walked two batters, and struck out six, earning his second win of the postseason.

Reliever Ferráz worked three complete innings without allowing a run, on the strength of one hit, two strikeouts, and one walk, adding his seventh save of the campaign to his record.

For the Hunters, Geonel Gutiérrez allowed six runs, all earned, in four innings pitched and took the loss. Offensively, cleanup hitter and first baseman José Antonio Jiménez stood out with two hits in four at-bats and three RBIs.

Both teams will face off again tomorrow at the Julio Antonio Mella Stadium, in a semifinal series scheduled for the best of seven games.