Vazquez, Beltran shine as Puerto Rico crushes U.S.

Mar 15, 2009 - 2:28 AM MIAMI (Ticker) -- Javier Vazquez pitched five solid innings and Carlos Beltran homered and drove in two runs as Puerto Rico cruised to an 11-1 victory over the United States on Saturday.

Felipe Lopez also homered to ignite a four-run rally in the second inning for the Puerto Ricans, who needed just seven innings to put the mercy rule in effect.

Ivan Rodriguez collected three hits for Puerto Rico, which will face Venezuela on Monday.

Vazquez, who had not surrendered a run in the World Baseball Classic entering this game, gave up a run and four hits with no walks and two strikeouts.

With Puerto Rico holding a 2-0 lead, Lopez blasted a two-run homer. After Geovany Soto led off the second frame with a walk, Lopez sent Jake Peavy's offering over the right field wall to make it 4-0.

Beltran and New York Mets teammate Carlos Delgado each drove in a run in the second as well to extend Puerto Rico's advantage to 6-0.

Beltran, who finished with three hits, three runs scored and a walk, hit a solo home run in the seventh inning to make it 8-1. Lopez added an RBI double and Mike Aviles followed with a two-run single to end the game.

Brian McCann doubled in the lone run for the Americans, who will take on the Netherlands in an elimination game.

Peavy was tagged for six runs on six hits and two walks with one strikeout.

VENEZUELA 3, NETHERLANDS 1

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MIAMI (Ticker) -- Carlos Silva threw seven strong innings and Miguel Cabrera's homer snapped a tie as Venezuela held off a pesky Netherlands squad, 3-1, in the World Baseball Classic.

Silva outdueled Sidney Ponson, allowing one run and four hits. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.

Cabrera's solo homer in the fourth inning put Venezuela up, 2-1.

Jose Lopez also homered in the eighth for Venezuela.

Mets star closer Francisco Rodriguez struck out two in the final 1 1/3 innings to earn the save.

Vince Rooi drove in the lone run for the Netherlands, which stunned the Dominican Republic earlier this week.

Ponson allowed two runs and two hits in five innings.