Cuba beats Venezuela, faces Mexico in Caribbean Series final

Posted February 06, 2015 10:00 pm

The Associated Press

Cubaâs Yadiel Hernandez, right, slides safe at the home plate against Venezuela's catcher Jose Gil during a Caribbean Series baseball semifinal game in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo) The Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - Frederich Cepeda went 4 for 4 and drove in five runs, leading Cuba over Venezuela 8-4 Saturday night and into the championship game of the Caribbean Series.

Cuba will play Mexico for the title. The Cubans had won only one previous game in this tournament going into this semfinal while Venezuela had been undefeated.

Cepeda, a 34-year-old outfielder who played in Japan last year, tripled and doubled twice. Cuba scored three runs in the sixth inning and five more in the seventh to break away.

Mexico beat the Dominican Republic 5-4 earlier Saturday with Terance Marin pitching six strong innings. Mexico (3-2) is looking for its third consecutive title and fourth in five years.

Marin (2-0) allowed two runs and five hits. Ali Solis drove in two runs, Jose Manuel Rodriguez scored twice and Jay Jackson recorded his first save.

Philadelphia Phillies prospect Maikel Franco doubled and singled in four at-bats for the Dominican Republic. Elih Villanueva (0-1) took the loss.

Cuba's players run out of the dugout celebrating their victory over Venezuela during a Caribbean Series baseball semifinal game in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo) The Associated Press

Cuba's players celebrate after scoring 5 runs in the sixth inning against Venezuela during a Caribbean Series baseball semifinal game in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo) The Associated Press

Venezuela catcher Jose Gil falls to the ground after failing to catch a fly ball during a Caribbean Series baseball semifinal game against Cuba in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo) The Associated Press

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