Arcia homers and Venezuela beats Mexico 4 2 in the Caribbean Series

By Associated Press

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico _ Minnesota Twins outfielder Oswaldo Arcia hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the eighth inning and Venezuela finished the first round of the Caribbean Series undefeated with a 4-2 win over Mexico on Friday.

Venezuela (4-0) faces Cuba (1-3) on Saturday in the semifinals.

Junior Guerra allowed three hits and one unearned run in five strong innings for Venezuela. The righty struck out seven and walked three. Amalio Diaz (1-0) got the win in relief, and Hassan Pena notched his first save of the tournament.

Reliever Manuel Barreda (0-1) allowed two runs in two innings for the loss.

Puerto Rico beat the Dominican Republic 3-2 in the late game, breaking a 2-all tie in the ninth inning. The Dominican Republic (2-2) will face Mexico (2-2) in the semifinals.

Puerto Rico (1-3) was previously eliminated