Mexico beats Cuba to stay alive in the Caribbean Series

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Ramon Rios hit a tiebreaking single in the top of the 11th inning, Sergio Romo got eight outs in relief and Mexico rallied past Cuba 3-2 on Thursday to stay alive in the Caribbean Series.

Rios was 0 for 4 before hitting a line drive to center field that brought Daniel Alvarez home for the Charros de Jalisco. Rios was thrown out trying for second base.

Romo (1-0), a three-time World Series winner with the San Francisco Giants, was perfect over the final 2 2/3 innings, striking out three.

Venezuela leads the Group B with a 2-0 record, while the Mexicans and Cubans are tied with at 1-2.

Only the best team in each group advances to the final game. Mexico will play Venezuela on Friday, and Cuba has the day off.

Junior Lake had a tiebreaking single in the ninth inning to lift the Dominican Republic over Puerto Rico 5-4.

With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Lake had a hit to center field to send home Wilkin Castillo.

Estrellas Orientales have a 2-1 record in Group A, where the host Panama (2-0) is the leader and Puerto Rico is eliminated from contention at 0-3.

The Dominicans will play against Panama on Friday, and Puerto Rico, the two-time reigning champion, will have the day off.