Puerto Rico falls to Dom. Republic, will face USA in Round 2

Mike Aviles and Puerto Rico finished 2-1 in Pool C play and will face the U.S. in the second round.

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Robinson Cano homered and the undefeated Dominican Republic beat Puerto Rico 4-2 on Sunday night to win their first-round group in the World Baseball Classic.

The New York Yankees slugger had three hits to help the Dominicans finish 3-0 in Group C. Next, they move on to the second round in Miami, where they will play Group D runner-up Italy on Tuesday.

Puerto Rico took a 2-1 lead on Mike Aviles' two-run homer in the fourth inning, but Cano tied it with a solo shot in the fifth.

Alejandro De Aza doubled home the go-ahead run in the sixth and Nelson Cruz added an RBI groundout in the seventh. Fernando Rodney pitched a hitless ninth for his second save.

Puerto Rico finished second in the group with a 2-1 record and advanced to face the United States, which won Group D, on Tuesday night in Miami.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.