Dominican Republic rallies past Mexico 3 2; Cuba advances, Puerto Rico out of Caribbean Series

By Octavio Benitez

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico _ Elian Herrera got the game-winning hit and the Dominican Republic rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Mexico 3-2 on Thursday night in the Caribbean Series.

The victory by the Dominican Republic (2-1) eliminated host Puerto Rico from the tournament and helped Cuba (1-3) advance to the semifinals.

Mexico (2-1) and Venezuela (3-0) also have advanced.

Venezuela beat Cuba 6-2 earlier Thursday. Balbino Fuenmayor homered and drove in two runs, and Cesar Valdez pitched seven solid innings.

Fuenmayor, a 25-year-old former Blue Jays minor leaguer, hit a solo shot off reliever Livan Moinelo in the sixth. He added an RBI single in a four-run third inning. Cuban starter Yoanni Yera (0-1) allowed four runs and six hits in 2 1-3 innings.

Valdez (1-0) allowed two runs and seven hits, striking out eight.

Cuba (1-3) scored on solo homers by Alexander Malleta in the first and Luis Valdes in the seventh.

Puerto Rico (0-3) had the day off Thursday and will play the Dominican Republic on Friday.