Maldonado propels Puerto Rico past Cuba into quarterfinals

Martín Maldonado hit a three-run double, and five pitchers combined on a two-hitter to help host Puerto Rico clinch a spot in the quarterfinals with a 4-1 victory over Cuba in San Juan.

Yankees prospect Elmer Rodríguez pitched three shutout innings, and Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz struck out two in the ninth for the save.

Cuba (2-1) can still reach the knockout round with a victory over Canada on Wednesday. Puerto Rico (3-0) finishes group play against Canada on Tuesday.

Julio Robaina, who pitched one game for the Astros in 2024, loaded the bases in the second inning on two singles and a walk before Maldonado hit a liner down the third-base line and into the corner to make it 3-0.

Puerto Rico took a 4-0 lead in the fifth on Carlos Cortes' sacrifice fly before Alfredo Despaigne hit an RBI double in the sixth for Cuba.

Maldonado, who announced his retirement last fall, spent 15 years in the major leagues with seven teams, winning a Gold Glove with the Angels in 2017 and the 2022 World Series with the Astros.