The Tel Aviv Lightning pulled within half a game of tying the first place Beit Shemesh Blue Sox Monday with a 4-2 victory. Monday's games were played early in order to give players and fans time to return home for Tisha B'Av. No games were scheduled Tuesday.

In other games Monday, the Modi'in Miracles breathed down the necks of Lightning and now trail the team by one game on the strength of an 11-6 win over the Petach Tikva Pioneers. The Netanya Tigers routed the Ra'anana Express 8-4.

The Tigers and the Tel Aviv Lightning are playing a doubleheader at Sportek, with the first game starting at 2 p.m. and the second at 5 p.m. Also at 5 p.m., the Pioneers will face the Miracles at Gezer Field, and the Blue Sox and Express will play at Yarkon Field at 7 p.m.