Dominican Republic hits four HRs in WBC rout of Netherlands

MIAMI — Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Junior Caminero and Austin Wells homered as the Dominican Republic routed the Netherlands 12-1 in seven innings Sunday to remain unbeaten in Group D play at the World Baseball Classic.

The game ended under the mercy rule when Soto’s two-run blast in the bottom of the seventh provided a double-digit advantage for the Dominican Republic. It was the third game of the tournament to end under the mercy rule.

The Dominican Republic has outscored its opponents 24-4 through two games at loanDepot Park.

Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ketel Marte had three walks each for the Dominicans. Starter Luis Severino allowed one run and three hits while striking out five over four innings.

The Dominicans broke it open with a six-run fifth. Caminero hit a three-run homer and Wells added a two-run blast. Marte’s sacrifice fly made it 10-1.

Caminero’s second homer of the tournament had an exit velocity of 115.8 mph.

The Dominican Republic struck quickly with a two-run first against Arij Fransen, who took the loss. Guerrero hit an RBI single and Marte scored from third on a throwing error by shortstop Xander Bogaerts.

Didi Gregorius narrowed the deficit for the Netherlands (1-2) with his solo homer in the second before Guerrero’s two-run drive in the third made it 4-1.

Cuba 7, Colombia 4: In San Juan, Ariel Martinez and Erisbel Arruebarrena homered in a four-run first inning, helping Cuba improve to 2-0 in Group A.

Yiddi Cappe added a big two-run triple in the sixth. Yoelkis Guibert had two of Cuba’s eight hits, and Denny Larrondo pitched two innings for the win at Puerto Rico’s Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

Cuba next plays Puerto Rico on Monday night.

Tito Polo drove in two runs for winless Colombia, which is 2 for 28 with runners in scoring position — with 29 runners left on base — over three games heading into Monday’s matchup vs. Panama. Gio Urshela had a run-scoring single.

Martinez hit a three-run shot to right on a 2-1 fastball from Luis Patiño. Roel Santos walked and Yoan Moncada was hit by a pitch before Martinez’s opposite-field drive. Arruebarrena made it 4-1 with a one-out solo shot, chasing Patiño.

Raidel Martinez handled the ninth for his second save for Cuba.