Dominican Republic wins World Baseball Classic

'Stellar performance'

The rain lightened up later in the game and salsa music continued to blare from the bandstand beyond the bleachers, punctuated by air horns and drums played by the fans themselves.

By then, the Dominicans were in command.

Dominican Republic players celebrate after defeating Puerto Rico to win the World Baseball Classic final in San Francisco, California, March 19, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Jose Reyes led off the game for them by cracking a long double off the brick wall in right and moving up on a sacrifice bunt by Erick Aybar. After an intentional walk to Cano, Encarnacion doubled to right-center scoring both baserunners.

They added some cushion in the fifth with help from a fielding gaffe by Puerto Rican second baseman Irving Falu.

After an infield single by Alejandro De Aza, Reyes grounded to Falu, who stood with the ball as De Aza stopped in the middle of the baseline.

Instead of going toward him to tag him out, Falu threw to first base in hopes of getting a double play, but De Aza made it safely to second and scored on a double by Aybar to make it 3-0.

Reliever Pedro Strop squelched a potential Puerto Rican rally in the seventh after a lead-off single by Mike Aviles and a walk to Alex Rios issued by Octavio Dotel.

Strop struck out Carlos Rivera and Andy Gonzalez and retired Jesus Feliciano on a twisting catch of a foul pop by third baseman Miguel Tejada to end the threat.

"Obviously, we wanted to win," said Puerto Rico manager Edwin Rodriguez. "We have to take our hats off to the Dominican Republic team, which showed a stellar performance."