Dominican Republic's Hector Gomez celebrates after his team defeats Mexico 3-2 in a Caribbean Series baseball game in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo)
The Associated Press
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - Elian Herrera got the game-winning hit and the Dominican Republic rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Mexico 3-2 on Thursday night in the Caribbean Series.
The victory by the Dominican Republic (2-1) eliminated host Puerto Rico from the tournament and helped Cuba (1-3) advance to the semifinals.
Mexico (2-1) and Venezuela (3-0) also have advanced.
Venezuela beat Cuba 6-2 earlier Thursday. Balbino Fuenmayor homered and drove in two runs, and Cesar Valdez pitched seven solid innings.
Fuenmayor, a 25-year-old former Blue Jays minor leaguer, hit a solo shot off reliever Livan Moinelo in the sixth. He added an RBI single in a four-run third inning. Cuban starter Yoanni Yera (0-1) allowed four runs and six hits in 2 1-3 innings.
Valdez (1-0) allowed two runs and seven hits, striking out eight.
Cuba (1-3) scored on solo homers by Alexander Malleta in the first and Luis Valdes in the seventh.
Puerto Rico (0-3) had the day off Thursday and will play the Dominican Republic on Friday.
Cuba's starting pitcher Yovanni Yera throws the ball in the first inning of a Caribbean Series baseball game against Venezuela in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo)
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Cuba's shortstop Luis A. Valdes, left, fails to tag Venezuelaâs Orlando Arcia at second base during a Caribbean Series baseball game in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo)
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Mexico third baseman Oscar Robles jumps and reaches to catch a batted ball during a Caribbean Series baseball game against the Dominican Republic in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. The Dominican Republic went onto defeat Mexico 3-2. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo)
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Venezuelaâs Balbino Fuenmayor points to fans while running the bases after hitting a home run during a Caribbean Series baseball game against Cuba in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo)
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A fan cheers after the Dominican Republic defeated Mexico 3-2 in a Caribbean Series baseball game in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo)
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Dominican Republic third baseman Audy Ciriaco throws to first base as third base umpire Robert Moreno calls a foul ball during a Caribbean Series baseball game against Mexico in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo)
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Dominican Republic's Carlos Paulino, right, slides in safe against Mexico third baseman Oscar Robles during a Caribbean Series baseball game in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo)
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Mexico's Rico Noel, (81), is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run during a Caribbean Series baseball game against the Dominican Republic in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo)
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