SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Robinson Cano homered and the undefeated Dominican Republic beat Puerto Rico 4-2 on Sunday night to win their first-round group in the World Baseball Classic.
The New York Yankees slugger had three hits to help the Dominicans finish 3-0 in Group C. Next, they move on to the second round in Miami, where they will play Group D runner-up Italy on Tuesday.
“We want to get off on the right foot and win the first game,” third baseman Hanley Ramirez said.
Puerto Rico took a 2-1 lead on Mike Aviles’ two-run homer in the fourth inning, but Cano tied it with a solo shot in the fifth.
Alejandro De Aza doubled home the go-ahead run in the sixth and Nelson Cruz added an RBI groundout in the seventh. Fernando Rodney pitched a hitless ninth for his second save.
Puerto Rico finished second in the group with a 2-1 record and advanced to face the United States, which won Group D, on Tuesday night in Miami.
