WBC: Venezuela 2, Puerto Rico 0

MIAMI, March 17 (UPI) -- Felix Hernandez struck out seven in 4 2/3 innings Monday night when Venezuela shut out Puerto Rico 2-0 to advance to the WBC semifinals.

Carlos Vasquez, Enrique Gonzalez and Ramon Ramirez each helped preserve the shutout for Venezuela, which took first place in Pool C of the World Baseball Classic.

Ramon Hernandez hit a solo homer and Bobby Abreu singled, walked and scored the game's first run.

Puerto Rico, which won its first four games in the WBC by a combined score of 26-2, managed just five hits in Monday's game. Puerto Rico will play an elimination game against the United States Tuesday, with a chance to join Venezuela in the semifinals.