Venezuela Eliminated

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Daniel Cabrera threw four hitless innings, and the Dominican Republic one-hit Venezuela to advance to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic with a 2-1 victory Tuesday night.

Cabrera struck out seven with one walk as the elimination game in Group 2 turned into a pitchers’ duel, with the go-ahead run scoring on a passed ball by Venezuela catcher Ramon Hernandez in the sixth.

Francisco Liriano, Miguel Batista and Salomon Torres followed Cabrera, and Duaner Sanchez pitched 2 1/3 hitless innings to earn a save.

Venezuela loaded the bases with two out in the top of the ninth, but Edgardo Alfonzo flied out to right for the final out.

Singles by Alberto Castillo and Placido Polanco, and a walk by Miguel Tejada loaded the bases in the sixth for the Dominican Republic. With two out, Albert Pujols took a 2-and-0 pitch from Kelvim Escobar that got past Hernandez, allowing Castillo to score from third.

The Dominicans took a 1-0 lead in the first against starter Freddy Garcia.

Polanco singled, moved to third on a double by Tejada and scored on Moises Alou’s infield single.

The Dominican Republic will play the winner of today’s Puerto Rico-Cuba game in the semifinals.