David Ortiz hit his third home run of the tournament and walked with the bases loaded as the Dominican Republic beat Cuba 7-3 victory and kept alive its hopes of advancing to the World Baseball Classic semifinals.
A group of fans caused a scuffle at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, spelling "Abajo Fidel (Down With Fidel)" with the letters on their shirts. The fans also had a small sign with the same message about the Cuban president, as did an airplane pulling a sign over that appeared over the ballpark. Tournament organizers banned signs with political messages to comply with an agreement made with Cuba for the team's participation in the Classic.
Starter Odalis Perez (2-0) struck out three in 4 2-3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and one walk.
PHOTO: AP
Miguel Tejada hit a go-ahead, two-run double in a four-run third, chasing starter Vicyohandry Odelin (0-1). Yadier Pedroso relieved, walked Albert Pujols, then retired Ortiz on a flyout as Tejada moved to third. Moises Alou followed with a grounder to third that should have ended the inning, but Michel Enriquez threw wildly to first as Tejada and Pujols scored for a 4-0 lead.
Venezuela 6, Puerto Rico 0
At San Juan, Puerto Rico, Victor Martinez hit a grand slam, Carlos Zambrano combined with six pitchers on a seven-hitter and Venezuela handed Puerto Rico its first loss of the World Baseball Classic.
Zambrano struck out five in four innings, giving up two hits and two walks. Carlos Silva, Rafael Betancourt, Gustavo Chacin, Victor Zambrano, Jorge Julio and Francisco Rodriguez allowed five hits over the final five innings.
Endy Chavez hit a two-run homer off Joel Pineiro in the fifth and Martinez extended Venezuela's lead to 6-0 with a grand slam in the eighth as Puerto Rico lost for the first time in the tournament.
Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Cuba and the Dominican Republic are now tied at 1-1 in Group Two.
Venezuela was to play the Dominican Republic last night and Cuba meets Puerto Rico today.
The winners will advance to the semifinals.
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