Domincan Republic upset by Dutch

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Missing an injured Alex Rodriguez and several other stars, the Dominican Republic flopped at the plate and was upset by the Netherlands 3-2 in their World Baseball Classic opener on Saturday.

It was a startling loss for the heavily favored Dominicans, considered contenders to win the 16-team tournament. Now, they are one defeat from elimination in Group D.

"That was a team we should have trounced 9-0," Dominican Republic manager Felipe Alou said. "We haven't pressed the panic button, but we know we cannot afford the luxury of losing again."

The Dominican Republic had a chance to tie it in the ninth inning after Willy Taveras drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on Robinson Cano's hit-and-run groundout. But the speedy Taveras was thrown out trying to steal third with slugger Hanley Ramirez at the plate.

Ramirez then walked and was trying to steal second when Leon Boyd threw a called third strike past Jose Bautista for the final out. Netherlands players rushed out of the dugout to celebrate, hugging and clapping after completing the upset with only three hits -- all infield singles.

"This is a great moment for us -- something extraordinary," Netherlands manager Rod Delmonico said. "We were ready to play hard and our pitchers did a great job, especially the bullpen. Someone has to sign Ponson because of the job he did today."

Major league veteran Sidney Ponson pitched four solid innings for the Netherlands, allowing two runs and five hits.

"We've got to believe in ourselves," said Ponson, an 11-year major league veteran. "We did a great job with our defense and we've got to do that in every game. Now, we have to enjoy this because we beat one of the best teams in the Classic."

Miguel Tejada homered and Ramirez had a sacrifice fly for the Dominican Republic, which reached the semifinals of the inaugural Classic three years ago before losing to Cuba.

Next, the Dominicans will play Sunday against Panama, which lost 7-0 to Puerto Rico on Saturday. Puerto Rico and the Netherlands will square off on Monday.

Ramirez, Tejada and Cano are among the major league stars on a Dominican roster that also includes David Ortiz, Jose Reyes and Pedro Martinez. Still, the Dominican Republic went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 overall.

Rodriguez, who played for the United States in 2006, was slated to anchor the Dominican Republic lineup before he was sidelined by a hip injury this week.

The Dominican team was already without some of the nation's best players, including Manny Ramirez, Albert Pujols, Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Adrian Beltre.

Martinez, auditioning for a major league job this season, tossed three shutout innings of relief.

With few well-known players, the Netherlands scored all of its runs in the first inning against MLB All-Star Edinson Volquez, taking advantage of two key mistakes by the Dominican Republic.

Gene Kingsale opened the game with a single and Sharlon Schoop followed with a bunt that left runners on first and second after an error by catcher Miguel Olivo.

With two outs, Yurendell DeCaster walked to load the bases. Kingsale scored on Volquez's wild pitch, and two more runs came home on an error by Ramirez at shortstop.

Volquez allowed two hits with three strikeouts and two walks in three innings.

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