The Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico 2-0 in Saturday's game to take Pool 2 and remain undefeated in the World Baseball Class. Though the Dominican offense woke up in the second half of the game, this one was all about pitching.
The Dominican Republic received an amazing start from Wandy Rodriguez as the Puerto Ricans couldn't figure him out directly once again. This time, Rodriguez wasn't charged with any runs after stepping away from the field going six innings allowing just two hits, walking two and striking out four Puerto Rican batters. Fernando Rodney recorded his fifth save of the tournament and the Dominican Republic have yet to lose a game in the tournament.
The Dominican offense was really quiet in this game, so their pitching had to step up and shutdown Puerto Rico's hitting.
Puerto Ricans threatened in the top of the fourth inning after Luis Figueroa leadoff double. Rodriguez stepped it up. He struck out Carlos Beltran, the dangerous Mike Aviles flew out and then Rodriguez got Alex Rios to strikeout swinging.
Orlando Roman, the Puerto Rican starter did his best to hold the Dominicans from scoring and he did well. He went five innings, allowing just one run on two hits while walking two and striking out four.
Roman held the Dominicans scoreless until Carlos Santana got a hold of a pitch in the fifth inning that tailed away from him in the outside corner and jacked it to right field for a solo home run that scored the first run of the game.
This gave the Dominican bullpen a lead to work with. Jose Veras pitched the seventh inning and retired Puerto Rico in order. Santiago Casilla then took over and started things a little wild in the top of the eighth after walking Martin Maldonado. Puerto Rico bunted him over, but with one out, Erick Aybar gunned Maldonado at third base after a groundball. Casilla was able to get out of the inning with a groundball to second base where Robinson Cano easily put the inning away.
The Dominicans threatened in the bottom of the eighth and plated an insurance run to take a 2-0 lead after a two out RBI from Francisco Pena. .
The Dominicans will now get the day off and face the Netherlands on Monday. Puerto Rico will make their way to San Francisco and play against the two-time WBC championships Japan on Sunday.
