GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- The Caribbean Series continued Sunday at Estadio de Beisbol Charros de Jalisco with games between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic during the afternoon and a Mexico-Venezuela matchup in the nightcap.
GAME 1
Dominican Republic 6, Puerto Rico 3
The Dominican Republic (1-1) snapped a streak of 11 consecutive losses in Caribbean Series play with a 6-3 victory against Puerto Rico (1-1) in the first game of the day.
First baseman Edwin Espinal gave the Dominican Republic team a 2-0 lead in the first inning with a single that scored shortstop Abiatal Avelino and center fielder Juan Perez and the D.R. never looked back.
• Caribbean Series scoreboard
The scoring continued in the next frame as Avelino, Perez and left fielder Junior Lake each drove in a run in the third inning to extend the Dominican Republic's lead to 5-0.
Dayron Varona drove in Puerto Rico's first run with an RBI single in the sixth. Second baseman Irving Falu picked up two RBIs on a single later in the inning to cut the Dominican Republic's lead to 5-3.
Puerto Rico would not get any closer.
Puerto Rico will take on Venezuela in the first game Monday. Cuba and the Dominican Republic will face each other in the night game.
NOTABLE PERFORMER
Avelino was a force at the top of the lineup. The Dominican Republic shortstop finished 3-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored.
PLAY OF THE GAME
In the top of the eighth, Puerto Rico catcher Wilfredo Rodriguez tried to pick Yefri Perez off second base, and threw the ball into center field. Perez advanced to third and later scored on a ground ball to extend the Dominican Republic's lead to 6-3.
• Caribbean Series info
GAME 2
Venezuela 6, Mexico 4
Venezuela racked up 14 hits on its way to a 6-4 victory against Mexico on Sunday night.
The victory improves Venezuela's record to 2-1 after three games and qualifies the country for one of the semifinal games scheduled for Wednesday. Mexico, winners of four of the last six Caribbean Series titles, drops to 0-3 with the loss and needs help to move on.
Center fielder Rafael Ortega led off the game with a home run for Venezuela and Mexico answered in the second inning with an RBI single by Gabriel Gutierrez that scored designated hitter Jesus Castillo to tie the game at 1.
The teams exchanged runs in the fourth frame and catcher Willians Astudillo broke the 2-2 tie with a solo home run for Venezuela in the sixth. An RBI single by third baseman Niuman Romero extended the lead to two runs in the seventh, 4-2, and Venezuela tacked on two crucial runs in the top of the ninth inning.
Chris Roberson's two-run home run cut Venezuela's lead to 6-4 in the bottom of the ninth.
Venezuela will play the first game Monday against Puerto Rico. Mexico is off and will resume play Tuesday against the Dominican Republic.
NOTABLE PERFORMER
Venezuela starter Nestor Molina kept the Mexico offense in check for most of the game. The right-handed pitcher was charged with two runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked one batter on his way to earning the win.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Leading 4-2 in the ninth inning, Venezuela's two runs in the top of the final inning proved to be the difference in the game. Rene Reyes drove home Luis Domoromo for the country's fifth run and later scored on a wild pitch for the four-run cushion that was eventually cut to two runs on Roberson's homer.