Caribbean Series: Day Four

Venezuela 7, Puerto Rico 0.  The score was 1-0 through six, but Venezuela scored two in the seventh and four in the eighth.  A three-run triple by Luis Hernandez put the game away.  Luis Antonio Jimenez and Edgardo Alfonso each had two hits for Venezuela.  Yohan Pino gave up only two hits and no walks in six innings to get the win.  Victor Moreno gave up one hit in two innings to get the save.  Hiram Burgos took the loss despite giving up just one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six in five innings.

Dominican Republic 2, Mexico 0.  Single runs in the first and ninth provided bookends for the Dominican Republic victory.  Julio Borbon had two hits for the Dominican Republic.  Francisco Liriano got the win with five shutout innings despite giving up four hits and four walks.  He struck out five.  Jairo Ascencio pitched a perfect ninth for his third save of the series.  Doug Clark had two hits for Mexico.  Edgar Gonzalez took a tough loss, giving up just one run on two hits and three walks in six innings.  Pedro Florimon was 1-for-3 for the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic has clinched at least a tie for first in the six-game round robin.  The Dominican Republic is 4-0.  Mexico is second at 2-2.  Puerto Rico and Venezuela are tied for third at 1-3, and have been eliminated from the championship.  Mexico plays Puerto Rico this afternoon and Venezuela plays the Dominican Republic this evening.