WBC: Cuba 7, Mexico 4

SAN DIEGO, March 17 (UPI) -- Frederich Cepeda drove in four runs, including three in the fifth inning, Monday, helping Cuba to a 7-4 World Baseball Classic elimination game win over Mexico.

The win put Cuba in an elimination match Wednesday. The Cubans will play the loser of a game Tuesday between Japan and South Korea. Mexico, which got home runs Monday from Cristhian Presichi and Jorge Cantu, is out of the WBC.

Norge Vera allowed three hits over 4 2/3 innings for the win but apparently injured his left leg. Mexico's Jorge Campillo allowed five runs and took the loss.

With the score tied 2-2 in the fifth, Cuba loaded the bases with two singles and a walk. Cepeda then delivered a double into the gap in right-center, driving in three runs.

The Cubans moved ahead 7-2 in the seventh with a two-run triple by Yoennis Cespedes.

Mexico got solo home runs from Cantu in the seventh and Presichi in the ninth to complete the scoring.

Cuba struck first, getting a run-scoring single from Yulieski Gourriel in the first inning and an RBI-base hit by Cepeda in the third. Mexico tied the score with runs in the third on a Freddy Sandoval single and in the fourth on a ground out.