2018 Caribbean Series: DR beat Cuba 7-1 and advances to the semifinals

Dominican Republic sent Cuba down to their first defeat.

BOXSCORE

The win also qualified them for the final four playoffs. Bryan Evans quieted the Cuban bats to just one run for seven innings, that being a Roel Santos homerun in the sixth inning. Santos was the only bat working for Cuba, stringing together three of their seven hits.

Bryan Z. Evans SP / Águilas Cibaeñas

IP: 7 H: 5 R: 1 ER: 1 SO: 8 BB: 0 HR: 1

Junior Lake was responsible for the first three runs scored by the Dominican Republic. His two out walk in the first inning was followed by a stolen base. Edwin Espinal drove him in with a double. In the fifth inning Abiatal Avelino led the inning off with a double. Junior Lake corked a two run homer into centerfield for a 3-0 Dominican lead. 

Lake's homer was the 1000th HR in Caribeean Series history.

Dominican Republic broke the game open in the seventh. Edwin Espinal drove in the first run with an RBI single, his second RBI of the game. Ronny Rodríguez also drove in a run with a single and Luis Valenzuela drove in two with a triple.

Cuba started Bladimir Baños but only let him work three innings, giving up one run on four hits and two walks.

Bladimir Baños SP / Alazanes de Granma

IP: 4 H: 4 R: 1 ER: 1 SO: 4 BB: 1 HR: 0

Roel Santos hit a solo homer in the sixth for the only Cuba run in the game.

Alfredo Despaigne did make a pinch hitting appearance in the game which could mean he could be healthy for the playoffs. Cuba has to be careful with him since Japan and the Softbank Hawks have him under contract. 

On the last day of pool play Mexico plays the Dominican Republic and Cuba battles against Puerto Rico, but the four playoff teams have already been decided. 

2018 Caribbean Series

Monday's Games

Puerto Rico 12, Venezuela 7

Rep. Dominicana 7, Cuba 1

Tuesday's Games

3:00 pm, Cuba-Puerto Rico

9:00 pm, Rep. Dominicana-México

Standings