San Juan. The Dominican Republic closed out first-round play at Pool C at the 2013 World Baseball Classic with a 4-2 victory over Puerto Rico. The Dominicans had to erase a 1-2 deficit with single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh to earn the win and first place in the group. Both teams advance to the second round, which commences on Tuesday at Marlins Park in Miami.
Edwin Encarnacion opened the game with a RBI single in the first giving the Dominicans a 1-0 lead. But in difference to their previous wins over Venezuela and Spain, Puerto Rico gave the team of manager Tony Pena a much harder time.
Mike Aviles turned Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan into a frenzy with his two-run home run in the fourth, as Puerto Rico got a 2-1 lead.
It was short-lived though with Robinson Cano driving the ball over the fence in center field for a solo home run and the 2-2 tie. Team D.R. didn’t stop there, as Alejandro De Aza drove home Carlos Santana with a RBI double in the sixth and Nelson Cruz plating Edwin Encarnacion with a ground out in the seventh.
Puerto Rico had a two-out single in the seventh and a leadoff triple in the eighth, trying to get back into the game. But both scoring opportunities got stopped by the strong Dominican bullpen.
Wandy Rodriguez (DOM) allowed three hits, a run and a walk in 3 1/3 innings as the Dominican starter. Orlando Roman (PUR) issued five hits, a run and a walk in 3 2/3 frames for Puerto Rico. Lorenzo Barcelos (W, 1-0) ended up with the win, Jose Berrios (L, 0-1) with the loss.
The 2013 World Baseball Classic continues for both clubs. The Dominican Republic takes on Italy in the first game of the second round in Miami on Tuesday. Puerto Rico will square off with Team USA at the Marlins Park. The second round will be played in a double-elimination format.
